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Under typical circumstances following reconstructive elbow surgery, athletes often spend time in the minor leagues to gradually build up their pitching stamina by making five to six starts. However, Shohei Otani's situation is anything but ordinary. As one of the best hitters in the league, he doesn’t have the luxury of time in the minors to rehabilitate his pitching.
The Dodgers' decision to bring him up for a start demonstrates their confidence in his recovery and their willingness to give him an opportunity to showcase his talents. The organization has a reputation for listening to its players, and Otani's eagerness to pitch again likely played a role in this decision.