The Dodgers Hold Hope: Shohei Ohtani’s Potential Return to Pitching in 2025
As the Los Angeles Dodgers navigate another high-stakes Major League Baseball season, they continue to balance short-term competitiveness with long-term strategy. At the heart of their plans is none other than Shohei Ohtani — the generational two-way superstar whose arrival in Los Angeles last offseason captured headlines and imaginations across the baseball world.
While Ohtani’s impact with the bat has already paid dividends in 2025, questions remain around the other half of his unprecedented skillset: his ability to pitch. After undergoing his second Tommy John surgery in 2023, Ohtani has not pitched since. Yet despite the seriousness of the injury, the Dodgers have not given up hope that he could return to the mound — perhaps even sooner than many expect.
In this in-depth exploration, we’ll break down the circumstances around Ohtani’s injury, the recovery process, team expectations, and the potential implications for both the Dodgers and the future of two-way players in MLB.
Shohei Ohtani: The Unparalleled Two-Way Talent
Shohei Ohtani is not just another MLB superstar — he is a once-in-a-century phenomenon. Hailing from Japan, Ohtani joined the Los Angeles Angels in 2018 amid intense international buzz. He soon lived up to the hype, dazzling as both a power-hitting slugger and an elite starting pitcher.
His 2021 season is still regarded as one of the greatest individual performances in MLB history. That year, Ohtani hit 46 home runs, stole 26 bases, and posted a 3.18 ERA with 156 strikeouts in 130.1 innings. His AL MVP win that year was seen as inevitable. Ohtani repeated his excellence in subsequent seasons, further solidifying his legacy.
But injuries have been a recurring obstacle.
Tommy John Surgery No. 2: A Major Hurdle
In September 2023, Ohtani underwent his second Tommy John surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his pitching arm. This type of surgery typically requires 12 to 18 months of recovery, often sidelining pitchers for at least one full season.
This was Ohtani’s second such procedure — the first occurred in 2018, which limited him to designated hitter duties throughout 2019. At that time, he eventually returned to full two-way play by the 2021 season.
However, the second UCL reconstruction brought heightened concern. Repeating Tommy John surgery comes with increased risk — recovery is more difficult, and the chances of full success are statistically lower. The Dodgers knew this when they signed him, but they were betting not just on the player he is now, but the history-making potential he brings when healthy on both fronts.
The Dodgers’ Investment: A Long-Term Vision
When the Dodgers signed Ohtani to a 10-year, $700 million contract in December 2023 — the largest contract in sports history — it was a seismic moment in baseball. The deal, structured with significant deferred payments, gave the Dodgers immediate payroll flexibility while securing one of the sport’s most marketable and talented players.
But Ohtani’s injury meant that, in 2024 and perhaps beyond, he would only serve as a hitter.
Still, the Dodgers’ front office made it clear from the start: this was a long-term play. They were willing to wait for his pitching return, trusting that Ohtani’s work ethic, medical care, and the team’s renowned performance staff would give him the best chance at a successful comeback.
Now, as the 2025 season unfolds, hope is quietly building.
Hope on the Horizon: Ohtani’s Recovery Progress
Dodgers officials have maintained a cautious tone when discussing Ohtani’s return to pitching, but recent updates suggest things are moving in the right direction.
According to team sources and pitching coach Mark Prior, Ohtani has begun a light throwing program. While still not throwing off a mound, he’s reportedly progressing well through flat-ground sessions and arm-strengthening protocols.
“Shohei’s recovery is going exactly as planned,” Prior said in a recent interview. “He’s one of the hardest-working and most disciplined athletes I’ve ever seen. If anyone can beat the standard recovery timeline, it’s him — but we’re not pushing him.”
This careful, data-driven approach is characteristic of the Dodgers, who have long led the league in player health management. They’re focused not on rushing Ohtani back, but on ensuring that whenever he does pitch again, he does so safely and effectively.
Will Ohtani Pitch in 2025? The Possibilities
While the original expectation was that Ohtani would not pitch at all in 2025, recent signs have opened the door for a late-season return — especially if the Dodgers are in a deep playoff race or chasing a World Series berth.
There are three possible scenarios:
- Ohtani returns as a starter late in the 2025 season (September/October)
This would require flawless recovery, accelerated strength-building, and green lights from the medical staff. It’s unlikely but not impossible. - Ohtani returns as a reliever
Using him in shorter bursts — an inning or two at a time — could ease the strain on his arm. It’s a strategy other recovering pitchers have used successfully, including Ohtani himself in Japan. - Ohtani doesn’t pitch at all until 2026
The safest path. The Dodgers may opt for full-year rest and rehab, allowing him to enter 2026 as a fully cleared starter with minimal risk of re-injury.
No matter what, the Dodgers have made one thing clear: Ohtani’s future health is the priority.
Strategic Impact on the Dodgers’ Season
Even as a designated hitter, Ohtani has continued to be a vital part of the Dodgers’ offense. His 2025 batting numbers remain elite: a .310 average, .430 OBP, 25 home runs (as of late May), and a league-leading OPS.
Still, the idea of Ohtani returning to pitch in any capacity opens up tantalizing strategic possibilities:
- As a two-way player, the Dodgers could add a top-tier arm to their rotation without making a trade.
- As a reliever, he could become a secret weapon in the postseason — much like how Madison Bumgarner was used in the 2014 World Series.
- Roster flexibility, allowing the Dodgers to use an extra bullpen arm or position player, thanks to Ohtani’s unique skill set.
Manager Dave Roberts has remained tight-lipped but acknowledged the intrigue:
“If and when Shohei is ready to pitch again, we’ll be ready. It’s something every manager would love to have in their toolbox.”
Ohtani’s Mentality: Driven Yet Disciplined
For Ohtani, the path back to pitching is personal. He has spoken in the past about how much pitching means to his identity as a player and how being a true two-way star is central to his mission in baseball.
In a recent interview translated by his agent, Nez Balelo, Ohtani said:
“I love both sides of the game. Hitting is fun, but pitching is something I’ve done my whole life. I want to come back strong — but I also want to come back right.”
That mindset has earned praise from teammates, trainers, and even opposing players. Mookie Betts described Ohtani as “the most focused guy in the clubhouse,” and Clayton Kershaw (currently rehabbing his own injury) said, “Watching how Shohei approaches rehab is a masterclass. He’s going to pitch again, and when he does, it’ll be special.”
The Business and Cultural Side of Ohtani’s Pitching Return
There’s no ignoring the marketing and global impact of Shohei Ohtani pitching again.
- TV ratings spike when Ohtani takes the mound.
- Merchandise sales skyrocket after standout performances.
- International viewership, particularly in Japan and Korea, increases dramatically.
If Ohtani returns to pitching this year — even briefly — it could become one of the most-watched moments in sports globally. The Dodgers, MLB, and sponsors are certainly aware, but the player himself remains focused on performance over publicity.
A Historic Comeback on the Horizon?
If Shohei Ohtani successfully returns to pitching after a second Tommy John surgery and resumes elite-level two-way play, it will cement his legacy not only as a once-in-a-generation player — but possibly as the most unique talent in the sport’s history.
A successful comeback would also reshape how teams view two-way players. Already, several prospects in MLB and the minors are being groomed for both roles. Ohtani’s return could validate this evolving approach.
A Carefully Plotted Path Toward Greatness
For now, Shohei Ohtani remains the Dodgers’ most electrifying hitter and their most intriguing future pitcher. The hope surrounding his return to the mound is as much about strategy as it is about inspiration — a story of resilience, discipline, and redefining what’s possible in baseball.
