As is well known, Shohei Ohtani (Los Angeles Dodgers) is a two-way player.
Since making his Major League debut in 2018, he has appeared in a total of 86 games, recording 38 wins, 19 losses, and an earned run average of 3.01. In 2022, he achieved his first 10-win season with a record of 15 wins and 9 losses, setting a personal record for most wins in a single season, and in 2023, he secured 10 wins (5 losses), achieving double-digit victories for two consecutive years.
In September 2023, Ohtani, who underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow, played solely as a hitter last year. He had been preparing for his return to the mound this season, but recently paused his pitching training again due to concerns about the injury.
The media outlet 'Dodgers Nation,' which primarily reports on Dodgers news, noted on the 15th (Korean time) that "Ohtani's pitching debut after his move to the Dodgers continues to be delayed. Ohtani and the team have agreed to slow the pace of his return to pitching."
The outlet reported that "As Ohtani's training volume increased, the Dodgers made this decision out of concern for Ohtani's injury." Director General Brandon Gomes stated, "We cannot afford to lose our best hitter" to emphasize Ohtani's protection.
This is quite understandable. Last year, while playing solely as a hitter, Ohtani posted a batting average of .301 (197 hits in 636 at-bats), hitting 54 home runs with 130 RBIs, 134 runs scored, and 59 stolen bases for a stellar performance. If the shining Ohtani were to sustain an injury, it would truly be a critical blow to the star-studded Dodgers.
Gomes explained the approach for Ohtani's pitching this season, saying, "We plan to have him consistently pitch once a week."
According to this media outlet, Gomes has not set a schedule for Ohtani's return to the mound. He remarked, "If Ohtani can return as a pitcher and throw for 2 innings, that would be fine," adding, "It would be a tremendous help to the team without needing to move the roster."
With solid starting pitchers like Blake Snell, Roki Sasaki, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Tyler Glasnow in the Dodgers' rotation, there is absolutely no reason for Ohtani to rush his return to the mound.
Gomes stated, "Ohtani's pitching situation will become more difficult after the season starts," but he noted, "We plan to continue collaborating closely with Ohtani."
This outlet reported that "Ohtani will need time before returning to the mound, but he will move forward with consistency."
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