NEW YORK — The Los Angeles Dodgers face uncertainty regarding Shohei Ohtani’s future as a pitcher. Since joining the team, Ohtani has had limited pitching appearances due to various health issues.
In his debut season with the Dodgers, Ohtani did not pitch at all. The following year, he began pitching only by mid-year. Now, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts remains unsure when Ohtani will pitch again, stating, “Don’t know yet.”
With the postseason approaching, it raises concerns for the Dodgers. Among their planned starting pitchers—Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, and Ohtani—only Yamamoto is consistently pitching major league innings. This situation may prompt the Dodgers to seek additional pitching talent for their playoff roster.
Ohtani’s contract, valued at $700 million over seven years beyond this season, signifies expectations from fans and the team for him to shine as a two-way player. His initial absence from the mound was due to elbow surgery recovery. His current challenge is dealing with irritation in his left knee. Manager Roberts described the condition with the concerning phrase “wear and tear.”
The remedy Ohtani received—a lubricant injection—is intended to alleviate symptoms temporarily. However, its effectiveness may vary, and the benefits may not manifest immediately. Despite plans for Ohtani to start on Wednesday, discomfort during catch practice delayed his return.
“I would say that it’s going to be some time,” Roberts said. “It’s not going to be a day-to-day thing.”
Ohtani’s wear-and-tear condition may require ongoing management throughout his career. As Roberts noted, all athletes experience wear and tear over time, and managing it is critical. Ohtani himself is aware of this reality, acknowledging this could be his final opportunity to achieve pitching accolades such as the Cy Young award.
Earlier this season, Ohtani demonstrated remarkable prowess with a 0.74 earned-run average in his first 10 outings. However, since the knee irritation emerged in June, his performance has fluctuated, with a 4.38 ERA over the last four starts.
If Ohtani can handle the discomfort, questions remain about his desire and the team’s willingness to let him pitch, especially given his value as an iconic hitter. As of now, the irritation affects him only when pitching, not batting. The team does not see the need to rest him from hitting, expecting it wouldn’t alleviate the knee issue.
Ohtani’s immediate goal is recovery sufficient to return to the mound without setbacks. Since his last appearance 16 days ago, concerns linger about his endurance as the Dodgers eye playoffs. Even upon his return, the capacity to pitch effectively in extensive postseason games remains uncertain.
Despite his challenges, Ohtani remains influential, known for enhancing ticket sales, merchandise popularity, and broader marketing ventures. His impact as a player persists regardless of pitching capabilities.
For context, the Yankees struggle without Aaron Judge’s hitting following his rib injury. Yet, Ohtani continues his home run record, affirming his value to the Dodgers, who boast the best major league record.
The Dodgers are not worried about Ohtani’s pitching career being jeopardized, although critics question the worth of his contract if pitching falters long-term. Yet, with two World Series wins already secured in his tenure, the value remains undeniable.
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