Shohei Ohtani is all set to return to the mound after nearly 2 years. The last time he pitched was back in 2023, during his stint with the Angels. The 30-year-old has been playing exclusively as a DH for the Dodgers this season after his second Tommy John surgery. But, just as he is supposed to take the mound again, his highly anticipated return is facing mounting doubts. Is rushing Ohtani back worth a risk at this stage?
Soon after Ohtani’s first live BP sessions a few days ago, the Dodgers manager Dave Roberts hinted that a return to the mound could come after the All-Star break. While the anticipation of the Japanese’s return has been through the roof, the MLB analyst Steve Phillips has now sounded the alarm, insisting that the Dodgers star might be too valuable at the plate to risk another devastating injury on the mound.
“He’s been the most protected pitcher since coming over to Major League Baseball and he broke down twice, needing Tommy John surgery,” Phillips reminded while talking on TSN’s SportsCentre.
“The reality is, I don’t know if they can protect him anymore, and he’s ultimately likely going to hurt that elbow again. And if it happens in April or May, you lose him for an entire season. I can’t risk that. I’ll pay him the big money he’s getting just to be a hitter,” he further added. These concerns are the blaring sirens the Dodgers can’t afford to ignore.
Phillips is right. At this stage, the Dodgers simply can’t afford to lose Ohtani. Rushing him back into the rotation without complete recovery is like playing with fire, and the risk of reinjury looms large. The team is already dealing with multiple injuries, especially among starters. Another setback could jeopardize even Ohtani’s greatest weapon, his bat.
And this isn’t the first time the baseball world has urged caution regarding Ohtani’s return to the mound. The ‘Home Run King’ Barry Bonds also weighed in back in March, urging the Japanese to stick to solely hitting. In an interview with All the Smoke before the season began, Bonds said, “I just hope he stays in the hitting category because his hitting ability is off the chart.”
Despite having Cy Young-level numbers when pitching, there’s a reason so many believe Ohtani should delay that comeback: he’s simply too good at hitting.
Shohei Ohtani’s 2025 season is a pure hitting masterclass
It may look effortless, but what Ohtani is accomplishing with the bat this season is truly historic. He’s slashing .292/.394/.648 with a 1.042 OPS across 54 games this season. He recently boosted his home run total to 20—the first player to reach that milestone this season, and it marks his remarkable fifth consecutive year hitting 20 or more homers.
The Japanese is rewriting what’s possible on a baseball field and is silencing every doubter in his path. And now, he’s chasing an extraordinary and unusual record. The 30-year-old is on pace to score over 154 runs, a feat not seen in almost 90 years, since 1930. If he keeps the momentum going, he might also challenge the 177-run record, leaving the legendary Babe Ruth behind.
Ohtani is definitely having one of his best seasons, and the craziest part? He’s doing it all while actively preparing for a comeback on the mound. But to keep things risk-free, maybe it’s time for him to focus on what he does best and delay his return to the mound. What do you think?
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