Dodgers’ superstar Shohei Ohtani stole the limelight during the opening day two series game against the Chicago Cubs and painted the stadium in the shade of blue. From witnessing a great crowd rooting for him at his home ground to proving that the Dodgers are ready to lift the ring again in 2025, Ohtani clearly proved that he is no less than a global baseball icon.
Despite being the most popular face in Major League Baseball, Shohei Ohtani opened up on his vulnerabilities with respect to the pitching aspect with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Shohei Ohtani gives a grim update on his pitching side with the Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani is not only a great designated hitter but also a brilliant pitcher too. The vision of being one of the most popular two-way star, was obstructed after Ohtani had to undergo Tommy John surgery for a second time. Reportedly, the 30-year-old Japanese athlete is quite uncertain about his pitching career and openly admitted that this might be his last chance as a pitcher.
As reported by Yahoo.com Japan, Ohtani poured his heart out while talking about his uncertain pitching aspect with the Dodgers. On being asked about how he is balancing injury prevention and his performance as a pitcher, Ohtani made a disheartening prediction about his pitching career. He said-
“For me, this feels like my last chance as a pitcher… I’m mentally preparing for it to be my last opportunity, and with that in mind, I must be cautious. During the rehabilitation process, I’ll be as careful as possible, but when it comes to the actual game, I don’t think I’ll be thinking in terms of ‘slow and steady.’ I intend to maintain a sense of balance and keep things sharp.”
He further went on to explain his approach on the pitching aspect and said-
“I don’t think it’s okay for it to be short, but the most important thing is to make it as intense as possible. However, when it comes to breaking balls, the higher the pitch speed, the greater the strain on the body. Of course, the strain depends on the type of pitch, but for a pitcher who throws high-speed breaking balls, it’s difficult to throw long innings as a starter while maintaining that high output throughout the season.”
While focussing on the wear and tear aspect that comes along as a part of an athlete’s life, Ohtani added-
“As for throwing for 10 to 15 years without ever needing surgery—given the current environment, I believe that’s not possible. I think it’s hard to demand both ‘intensity’ and ‘longevity.”
After undergoing Tommy John surgery twice, the Dodgers’ designated hitter is quite aware of the kind of strain his elbows have to go through. After enthralling his home crowd at the Tokyo Dome during one of the most anticipated games of the 2025 MLB season, Ohtani’s future as a pitcher with the Dodgers lies uncertain.
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