Shohei Ohtani has resumed his role as a Shohei Ohtani two-way star following his pitching comeback last week with the Los Angeles Dodgers against the San Diego Padres. Dodgers General Manager Brandon Gomes recently detailed the team’s approach to managing Ohtani’s dual responsibilities as both a hitter and pitcher after his return.
Ohtani, who suffered an elbow injury in August 2023 while with the Los Angeles Angels, underwent surgery and missed the entire 2024 pitching season. His return to the mound marks a significant milestone in his recovery and versatility as a two-way player. On June 16, 2025, he made his first pitching start for the Dodgers this season, throwing one inning and allowing one run on two hits against the Padres. He followed this with another one-inning appearance against the Washington Nationals, where he recorded two strikeouts over 18 pitches.
Dodgers’ Strategy for Utilizing Ohtani’s Pitching Skills
Questions have circulated about whether Ohtani will serve primarily as an opener or be incorporated more flexibly out of the bullpen. During an MLB Now interview, Dodgers GM Brandon Gomes explained that the team‘s plan is adaptive, focusing on Ohtani’s health and readiness after each outing. Gomes shared,
I think it’s very much about taking it how he feels coming out of every outing and seeing where he’s at. We’ll take a few days to assess, and then we can make our decision from that point… Any inning that he can give us is only a positive, especially if he’s starting the game… Like I said, we’ll take it outing by outing and look to build him up along the way.
—Brandon Gomes, General Manager
Gomes also confirmed the Dodgers will not rush Ohtani’s pitching workload and will continuously evaluate his physical condition:
Will Shohei Ohtani be used as an opener moving forward? Could he come out of the bullpen?@Dodgers EVP and GM Brandon Gomes joins BK to share insight into the plan for their two-way superstar.MLB Network + @SageUSAmerica pic.twitter.com/Rg6R4J9NC1
—Brandon Gomes, General Manager
As Executive Vice President and GM, Gomes emphasized the importance of managing Ohtani’s innings carefully to preserve his ability to impact the game both on the mound and at the plate. This patient, flexible approach reflects the Dodgers’ commitment to maximizing Ohtani’s long-term contributions as a two-way star.
Ohtani’s Continued Offensive Excellence This Season
While Ohtani’s pitching presence is being gradually reintroduced, his hitting remains exceptional. After joining the 50-50 club last season—excelling as both a pitcher and hitter—he has maintained impressive offensive form in 2025. Recently, Ohtani blasted his 27th home run of the year against the Colorado Rockies, one of the National League’s lowest-ranked teams.
In this game at Coors Field, Ohtani demonstrated his power by hitting a two-run opposite-field home run off Rockies relief pitcher Ryan Rolison’s 92 mph fastball in the sixth inning. This homer extended the Dodgers’ lead by three runs, contributing to their 9-7 victory and securing the team’s 49th win of the season. A win in the subsequent game would see them join the Detroit Tigers as the only teams to reach 50 wins this year.
Shohei Ohtani Leading National League in All-Star Voting
As July approaches, MLB fans are focused on the annual All-Star Game, with voting underway. Shohei Ohtani currently tops the National League voting charts, confirming his status as a fan favorite and consistent performer. The four-time All-Star has amassed approximately 2.5 million votes, placing him in a prime position to earn a starting role in this year’s All-Star Game at Truist Park, Atlanta Braves’ home stadium, scheduled for July 15, 2025.
On the American League side, Aaron Judge leads overall voting with close to 2.6 million votes and currently holds the top spot in his league. The leading vote-getters in each league automatically advance to the roster, bypassing the secondary voting phase that finalizes starting lineups and reserves.
Aaron Judge remains the overall leader in All-Star voting and Shohei Ohtani paces the National League.The top vote-getter in each league earns an automatic All-Star bid! https://t.co/XWNL3CCn2J pic.twitter.com/4x728hvoXu
—MLB Official Twitter
The National League has trailed recently in All-Star outcomes, having won only once in the last ten games against the American League. This year’s game will again be closely watched for its top talent and fan enthusiasm, with Ohtani’s two-way performance making him a standout participant.
Significance of Ohtani’s Return and Future Outlook
Shohei Ohtani’s return to pitching after his injury and surgery highlights his resilience and rare talent as a two-way star in modern baseball. The Dodgers’ careful management of his pitching schedule reflects an understanding of the demands placed on a player handling dual roles while aiming to benefit both the rotation and the batting lineup.
Ohtani’s ability to contribute offensively remains vital to the Dodgers’ success, as demonstrated by his ongoing power hitting. Coupled with his incremental pitching appearances, the team is poised to leverage his multifaceted skill set fully throughout the season.
Going forward, the Dodgers will continue to monitor Ohtani’s health on an outing-by-outing basis, adjusting his playing time accordingly to ensure sustained impact. His leadership in All-Star voting underscores his popularity and influence, projecting further highlights in the months ahead for both the player and the team.