Shohei Ohtani’s Pitching Future Sparks Concern as Dodgers Battle Injury Crisis
Shohei Ohtani once again stole the spotlight in the high-stakes clash between the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees. Though sidelined from pitching duties, the Japanese star made his presence felt with two crucial home runs, helping the Dodgers triumph over the Yankees and outshine Aaron Judge. But behind the celebrations, the Dodgers face a deeper crisis: with fourteen pitchers currently on the injured list, the team’s need for Ohtani on the mound is growing urgent. Yet, not everyone believes it’s the right move.
Former Yankees great Alex Rodriguez recently weighed in on the matter during a FOX Sports interview, cautioning against rushing Ohtani back into a pitching role. According to Rodriguez, the risk of injury outweighs the potential reward.
“It’s a tough decision for me,” Rodriguez explained. “In 2023, Ohtani had the best repertoire of any pitcher in the game. But if Ohtani gets hurt and makes it 15 pitchers on the IL for the Dodgers, the season is over. For me, the risk-reward is not there.”
His point is hard to ignore. Ohtani, now in his second year with the Dodgers, has yet to pitch for the team, primarily due to a UCL surgery that kept him off the mound through the entire 2024 season.
Despite his absence from the rotation, Ohtani has been nothing short of phenomenal at the plate. He currently leads MLB with 22 home runs, while boasting a .298 batting average, a .395 on-base percentage, and a stellar 1.062 OPS—statistics that underscore his value as a batter even without contributing as a pitcher.
Rodriguez’s concern lies in Ohtani’s injury history, particularly after undergoing two surgeries. Given the current pitcher shortage, it might be tempting for the Dodgers to deploy him early. But that decision could backfire, especially if it leads to another injury.
While Ohtani hasn’t yet returned to MLB pitching, he is actively progressing through live practice sessions. Most recently, he threw 29 pitches against minor leaguers—up from 22 pitches thrown the week before. The session featured a mix of fastballs, cutters, sweepers, sinkers, and splitters. Though his velocity hovered in the mid-90s and his command wasn’t yet where it used to be, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts called it a “really positive day.”
Roberts acknowledged that Ohtani is likely weeks away from being game-ready, noting that he’ll need to build up his pitch count and stamina to handle five to six innings of work. For now, the focus remains on gradually increasing his workload.
Even without his pitching, Ohtani’s offensive firepower continues to carry the team. His ability to hit at an elite level has become a vital part of the Dodgers’ strategy, especially with their current injury woes on the mound.
With all this in mind, the debate continues: Should the Dodgers prioritize Ohtani’s health and preserve his future by keeping him away from the mound this season? Or is his arm the missing piece they need to push through the adversity of a depleted pitching staff?
That question now rests with the Dodgers’ management—and with Ohtani himself.