Dave Roberts set a clear expectation ahead of the 2025 season. The Dodgers manager was vocal about the impending adjustment related to his two-way superstar, Shohei Ohtani. “I do think that there’s going to be some curtail in the stolen bases because he’s going to be pitching,” he mentioned on SportsNetLA. This was a recurring theme during spring training. Roberts reasoned that “he does need to pitch and (save) his legs” which is why he would need to manage his efforts. That cautious prediction has largely become a reality this season.
After becoming the first player in MLB history to hit 50 homers and steal 50 bases in 2024, Ohtani’s aggression on the basepaths has cooled significantly. Through 89 games in 2025, he has stolen only 12 bases. What is most telling was a run of 38 straight games in which the Japanese star did not attempt a steal.
That long dry spell is precisely why his recent steal against the Chicago White Sox on July 2 raised eyebrows and put the topic back in play. It brought up a question from Japanese sports publication, Nikkan Sports, to ask Roberts directly if he would ever ban his star from stealing. In an exclusive interview on Abema’s “Good Morning Roberts,” the manager gave a definitive answer and praised Ohtani’s judgment.
“No,” Roberts stated bluntly. “He knows his body. He knows to be careful when he runs. No matter how much he runs, he’s going to pitch. I can tell he’s not running as much as he did last year.”
Regarding the specific steal against the White Sox, Roberts confirmed it was Ohtani’s call. “It was his own decision,” he explained. “If he thinks it’s an opportunity to steal, I want him to go ahead and steal. That was an amazing steal.”
The player and the team’s protective measures stem from an uncomfortable history. The focal point is keeping Ohtani’s body safe as he has undergone two surgeries within 13 months. In September 2023, he received a hybrid surgery for the UCL in his throwing elbow. This was followed by surgery in November 2024 on his non-throwing shoulder, which he injured while sliding during the World Series.
That particular injury brought out the danger of aggressive base running. Ohtani’s injury at the biggest stage left a mark around the league. “That was tough,” said New York Yankees star Aaron Judge after the play. “You never like seeing the best player in the game get injured like that. Trying to steal a base like that there, and something like that happens.” The Dodgers are definitely trying to avoid a repeat of that traumatic event.
This careful balancing act raises the question of how Ohtani is performing while navigating these new physical demands.
Shohei Ohtani’s 2025 report card: Power, pitching, and perspective
Despite the conservative approach, Ohtani’s return to the mound has been impressive. The Dodgers are rehabbing him during major league games, using him as an “opener” for one or two innings at a time. In his first four starts, he went for a total of six innings, and he has put up a great 1.50 ERA, allowing just one run in six innings and striking out six batters. He has been hitting 98-100 mph on the radar gun with his fastball.
So what do we see from the man at the center of it? Well, Ohtani has taken on a more methodical approach to things. “Minimizing caught stealing is more important than maximizing attempts,” he said. And regarding his overall workload, he seems to be taking it one day at a time. “In a rehab progression, it’s really important to just take one step at a time,” Ohtani said. “There are times when I may be able to go another inning, but it’s really important not to take unnecessary risks and make sure that I can progress consistently.”
Ohtani remains an elite powerhouse on offense as a two-way phenom. Currently, Ohtani’s season stats show he has a batting average of .278, 30 home runs, and 56 RBIs after 89 games. This also puts him at an OPS of .990. Advanced analytics confirm his dominance as well; he ranks in the 100th percentile for hard-hit percentage. The only drawback is the high strikeout rate of 25.1% which is in the 25th percentile. Additionally, a Whiff percentage of 32.9% which is in the bottom 6th percentile among all hitters.
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