Shohei Ohtani returned to the Los Angeles Dodgers' lineup on Monday night and said he is most likely not going to pitch again this season, a significant shift for a player who had been pursuing two-way duties for much of the year. For the Dodgers, it means the stretch run will be built around Ohtani as a hitter first, with his mound work now essentially off the table.
Ohtani's pitching timeline had already been on hold for weeks. He last pitched in a game on July 3, and on Aug. 28 his right biceps issue flared up during a bullpen session, which was also the last time he threw a baseball. He later said Wednesday night that he felt discomfort along the right side of his neck and into his arm, adding another layer of concern to a season in which the Dodgers chose caution over trying to force a return.
Why the Dodgers are shifting their focus
Dave Roberts said the decision made practical sense at this point. Ohtani was still dealing with the effects of the recent arm and neck issues, and Roberts said, "But right now, it just doesn't make any sense." Ohtani, for his part, described the situation as "Disappointing," but also said he is now "focusing on hitting moving forward."
That leaves the Dodgers in a familiar but still important position: counting on Ohtani's bat to carry even more weight. The Dodgers' offense has struggled since the start of July, and that makes his production more valuable as the team tries to stay on course in the standings. Ohtani has still delivered strong numbers at the plate, hitting.277/.380/.522 with 30 home runs and 11 stolen bases. He also entered play with a.701 OPS, along with 94 weighted runs created plus, reflecting a season that has been productive even as the two-way plan faded.
What comes next for Ohtani
Ohtani said he believes his experience gives him a better chance to manage any future issues at the plate. "I should have enough experience to be able to address any kinks or injuries or anything like that with the swing," he said. He added, "I'm going to use this as an opportunity to add on to the experience that I've had previously and be able to address it regardless."
He also noted that "the best mode of recovery is to completely not play," which underscores how seriously the Dodgers are taking the injury management side of his season. Ohtani made clear that the focus now is on hitting, and the team appears ready to follow that plan as it continues its push through the final weeks.
The pitching numbers still show why the Dodgers were interested in preserving the possibility of a return. In 14 starts, Ohtani went 8-2 with a 1.79 ERA, striking out 95 batters while walking 26 across 85⅔ innings. But with his most recent setback and the timing of the season, that chapter now looks closed for 2024. For the Dodgers, the immediate question is no longer when Ohtani will pitch again. It is how much his offense can help stabilize the team as the standings race tightens.
