Shohei Ohtani is once again navigating a critical juncture in his career, this time with a body that is showing signs of strain, threatening his status as a two-way player like never before.
Ohtani, currently serving as the designated hitter for the Los Angeles Dodgers, is more than a month removed from his last pitching appearance. While he has reiterated his intention to return to the mound this season, his physical condition has shifted the focus from unprecedented heights to survival.
"It's not up to me to make that calculation," Ohtani stated regarding his pitching future, referring questions about the Dodgers' trade for pitcher Tarik Skubal to the team's front office and manager. The acquisition of Skubal, joining a rotation that includes Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell, and Tyler Glasnow, suggests the Dodgers are preparing for a scenario where Ohtani's pitching contributions might be limited.
"Any innings we get from him are bonuses," said manager Dave Roberts. Roberts envisions Ohtani potentially returning as an opener, pitching a limited number of innings, particularly if he is able to pitch in the postseason. This approach mirrors his recovery from a previous Tommy John surgery, where he gradually increased his workload across several starts.
Ohtani has been throwing weighted balls indoors as he works to recover from a sore left knee, but his return to playing catch on the field, throwing bullpen sessions, or pitching in games remains undetermined. Roberts indicated that Ohtani would likely follow a similar progression as he did last year, building arm strength incrementally.
Despite the physical setbacks, Ohtani expressed a desire to avoid the injured list, emphasizing his need to maintain offensive rhythm. In his last eight games, he batted .484 with four home runs, demonstrating his continued offensive prowess. He believes his contribution as a hitter outweighs the small risk associated with his current physical state, as he is not playing defense.
However, if Ohtani's return to pitching is delayed until September, it could limit his preparation for a substantial postseason start. This situation raises questions about his role in the playoffs, especially with other established starters available, and whether the team might implement stricter guidelines on his two-way responsibilities next season.
The challenges Ohtani faces echo a past situation in 2021 with the Angels, where team officials sought to alter his schedule, which Ohtani perceived as an attempt to force him into a singular role as either a hitter or pitcher. That suspicion fueled his motivation, leading to one of his MVP awards. He is expected to be similarly motivated now, but his body's capacity to perform at his elite two-way level remains uncertain.