Shohei Ohtani made his pitching debut for the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday night after considerable anticipation about the timing of his start. The Dodgers, recognized as one of Major League Baseball’s top teams, are reintegrating Ohtani’s pitching arm into their roster despite the injuries he has endured in recent seasons. This timing reflects a strategic approach to managing Ohtani’s dual contributions as both a pitcher and hitter.
Dodgers Emphasize Longevity Over Immediate Results
Andrew Friedman, the Dodgers’ president of baseball operations, explained that the decision to limit Ohtani’s pitching workload was part of a long-term plan. Rather than rushing the process to gain short-term benefits, the organization aims to maximize Ohtani’s effectiveness and health over the next several years. This measured approach is designed to ensure his durability and sustained performance for the team.
“Viewing it on a shorter-term horizon, it’s easy to want to be aggressive and push- I think both from him and from us,”
Friedman said.
“But we set out to view this as putting him in the best position to pitch over the next nine years and prioritizing longevity, and this first year back, it’s really important for that long-term aspect to not be too aggressive right now.”
—Andrew Friedman, Dodgers President of Baseball Operations
Balancing Pitching Demands with Hitting Excellence
Friedman acknowledged the unique challenge Ohtani faces by excelling as both a pitcher and a hitter. The physical toll of performing at a high level in both roles is taxing, and the Dodgers are carefully managing his workload to preserve his offensive contributions. Their goal is to maintain his power at the plate while gradually building endurance on the mound.
“I can’t imagine how tiring it is to do both,”
Friedman remarked.
“It’s one thing when you’re in that rhythm of it and you are in shape for that. But it’s been a while since he did both, and this is pretty uncharted because we’ve never been around a guy that does both at this level. And so it’s just trying to do everything we can to build up the muscles in the right arm but also build up the endurance from a body standpoint of doing both and not fatiguing him in a way that makes his offense suffer.”
—Andrew Friedman, Dodgers President of Baseball Operations
Strategic Outlook for Ohtani’s Future with the Dodgers
The Dodgers’ careful management of Shohei Ohtani’s pitching and hitting workload reflects their commitment to his long-term success and health. By prioritizing his endurance and balancing his dual roles, the team hopes to maximize Ohtani’s impact over several years rather than seeking immediate results. This approach underscores the Dodgers’ broader strategy of maintaining competitiveness through sustainable player development and injury prevention. As Ohtani settles into this managed routine, he is poised to remain a dynamic force in both pitching and hitting for the Dodgers in the seasons ahead.