Shohei Ohtani, renowned for his exceptional ability as both a pitcher and hitter, has solidified his status as one of baseball’s most remarkable players. After winning two unanimous American League MVP Awards with the Los Angeles Angels, Ohtani made history by securing a third unanimous MVP in his debut season with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He envisions expanding his role as a Shohei Ohtani two-way player, aiming to enhance his impact on the field.

Although the Dodgers are just beginning to witness Ohtani’s full contributions this season, the right-hander has already made two pitching starts. While he was limited to just one inning in each appearance, his performance showed promising glimpses of what is ahead. In his latest outing, Ohtani tallied two strikeouts in a scoreless inning against the Washington Nationals.

Encouraging Signs and Manager’s Strategy for Ohtani’s Starts

After the game, Ohtani shared his mindset, saying,

“Overall, I was able to relax much better compared to my last outing,”

through his interpreter Will Ireton. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts had suggested the possibility of Ohtani pitching into the second inning during his next start, but both Roberts and Ohtani later revealed that the plan for his recent outing was to complete only the first inning.

Ohtani remains positive about gradually increasing his workload as a pitcher.

“I’m looking forward to adding more innings and pitches,”

he stated. This cautious approach reflects an effort to ensure Ohtani can maintain effectiveness both on the mound and at the plate without compromising either skill.

Confidence in Balancing Pitching and Hitting Roles

Despite some concerns that pitching could hinder his hitting performance, Ohtani expressed assurance in his ability to handle the demands of being a Shohei Ohtani two-way player. He acknowledged returning to game action sooner than anticipated, noting,

“I’ve been able to come back to game action earlier than expected, so in that sense I do feel like I do have to work on some things.”

He added,

“But at the same time, I feel like I can perform even better than what I used to be able to perform at,”

reflecting his determination to elevate his overall game while managing dual responsibilities.

Gradual Build-Up in Pitching Role Planned

Roberts indicated that Ohtani’s next pitching start might see him extend beyond the first inning, though the exact timing remains undecided. Ohtani described his pitching progression as a “gradual process,” emphasizing the importance of both improving pitch quality and increasing pitch count carefully.

He explained,

“It’s going to be a gradual process. I want to see improvements with the quality of pitches that I’m throwing, and then also increasing the amount of pitches.”

This step-by-step strategy suggests the Dodgers are invested in preserving Ohtani’s health and maximizing his value as a two-way asset.

Implications for Ohtani’s Future with the Dodgers

Shohei Ohtani’s confident outlook and methodical preparation signal a promising future as he refines his role as a two-way player with the Dodgers. As he builds stamina on the mound and maintains excellence at bat, his dual-threat potential could reshape how teams utilize such rare talent. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as he continues to develop this unique blend of pitching and hitting prowess.