Shohei Ohtani, the Los Angeles Dodgers' star designated hitter, has stated there is "almost no chance" he will pitch again this season as he continues to manage lingering arm and knee injuries. Ohtani confirmed his focus will shift entirely to his offensive performance for the remainder of the year, acknowledging that his pursuit of a return to pitching likely exacerbated his current physical condition.
Ohtani played for the first time in five days on Monday, going 0 for 3 with a walk in the Dodgers' 6-3 victory over the Cincinnati Reds. During the game, he was observed circling his forearm after fouling off a pitch in the seventh inning, appearing physically compromised.
Despite his physical limitations, Ohtani expressed his intent to overcome them through adjustments to his swing. "With some creativity, I think I can make up for what’s not right," he said, viewing his current situation as an "opportunity to create new ways to compete." However, his recent performance at the plate has been challenging, with a 6-for-52 slump and only one home run in his last 22 games away from high altitude.
Ohtani admitted to being concerned about his lead arm and back leg, and he does not anticipate feeling healthy anytime soon. "Just moving will, of course, slow down the recovery," he stated, adding that "doing nothing and resting is the best" for healing. Nevertheless, he plans to continue playing and seeking solutions rather than resting.
Problems with his arm and knee had kept Ohtani from pitching after his July 3 start. He attempted to pitch again in September, a decision he now reflects on, saying, "The result of that was a feeling that this season didn’t go well." He noted that the team ultimately did not want him to push himself to the point where he could not hit.
"When the Dodgers indicated they wanted me to abort my pitching comeback, I wanted to obey them," Ohtani said, expressing peace with the decision. He indicated that while he tried to pitch, the team's primary concern was ensuring he could continue as a hitter. "Right now, I think I want to focus on offense," he added. Ohtani suggested that adjustments to his approach are necessary to improve his current form, stating, "If I make adjustments, I think my form will sufficiently improve."