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It seems a bit fishy that the Los Angeles Dodgers haven't gotten Shohei Ohtani back on the mound yet.
Of course, the Dodgers have to be careful with whatever they do with Ohtani, as he's one of the top players in MLB, even if he's just a hitter.
At worst, Ohtani is the second-best hitter in MLB behind Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees. However, when the Dodgers signed him to a 10-year, $700 million deal through the 2033 season, the hope was for him to be on the mound at some point.
Despite that reality, a recent report from Bob Nightengale suggested that Ohtani might not pitch for much longer than another year or two, when he does, or if he does, return to the mound.
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) at bat in the fourth inning against the Miami Marlins at Dodger Stadium.Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
“I’d be more curious to see what happens after next year,” Nightengale told Dodgers Nation’s Doug McKain. “I think he’ll be in the rotation again in 2026, then we’ll see what happens. I think his sheer love is just as a hitter.
"So it’ll be fascinating in a couple years if he gives up pitching, what do you do? Do they put him in the outfield? Obviously, a great athlete, probably would be a waste as a full-time DH since his athleticism is so good.”
As a starter, Ohtani was very good, posting a 2.33 ERA in the 2022 campaign, the best season of his career on the bump.
He struck out 219 hitters in 166.0 innings.
While it makes sense to have him pitch a bit in the next few years, the Dodgers also want to make sure he doesn't get injured again, as his bat is too valuable.
There appears to be some confusion, which may be contributing to a challenging situation overall.
Continue reading...
Of course, the Dodgers have to be careful with whatever they do with Ohtani, as he's one of the top players in MLB, even if he's just a hitter.
At worst, Ohtani is the second-best hitter in MLB behind Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees. However, when the Dodgers signed him to a 10-year, $700 million deal through the 2033 season, the hope was for him to be on the mound at some point.
Despite that reality, a recent report from Bob Nightengale suggested that Ohtani might not pitch for much longer than another year or two, when he does, or if he does, return to the mound.
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Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) at bat in the fourth inning against the Miami Marlins at Dodger Stadium.Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
“I’d be more curious to see what happens after next year,” Nightengale told Dodgers Nation’s Doug McKain. “I think he’ll be in the rotation again in 2026, then we’ll see what happens. I think his sheer love is just as a hitter.
"So it’ll be fascinating in a couple years if he gives up pitching, what do you do? Do they put him in the outfield? Obviously, a great athlete, probably would be a waste as a full-time DH since his athleticism is so good.”
As a starter, Ohtani was very good, posting a 2.33 ERA in the 2022 campaign, the best season of his career on the bump.
He struck out 219 hitters in 166.0 innings.
While it makes sense to have him pitch a bit in the next few years, the Dodgers also want to make sure he doesn't get injured again, as his bat is too valuable.
There appears to be some confusion, which may be contributing to a challenging situation overall.
Continue reading...
