As Shohei Ohtani eases his way back onto the mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers, a paradox sits at the heart of his journey: he might be the best pitcher in baseball — but pitching less may be the only way to preserve his rarest gift.
The Dodgers, owners of the National League’s best record at 58–39 heading into the All-Star break, already look like a World Series contender. But as they enter the second half, their most intriguing addition isn’t coming from the trade market. It’s coming from within. Ohtani, recovering from a second Tommy John surgery, has made five starts and thrown just nine innings this season. Yet in those brief outings, he’s been electric: five hits allowed, one earned run, 10 strikeouts, and a glimpse of what could come.
“I really just have to increase volume, but aside from that I feel pretty good with what I have,” Ohtani told The Pat McAfee Show through an interpreter.
Volume, however, is the issue. And it’s intentional.
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The Dodgers are taking no risks with the most singular talent in baseball — a man who has dominated at the plate and may still dominate on the mound if he’s allowed to ramp up at his own pace. As Hall of Fame pitcher John Smoltz said:
“If all he did was pitch, he’d be the best pitcher in baseball. Without a doubt. No reservations.”
That’s not hyperbole. Even as he returns from injury, Ohtani has shown flashes of the same dominance that once made him a Cy Young contender. But he also knows what that kind of workload can cost.
“My goal is just to be able to play two-way as long as possible and to play baseball as long as possible,” Ohtani said at the All-Star break.
That desire — to extend his career without sacrificing what makes it special — shapes how the Dodgers are using him. They’ve watched him become one of the league’s most feared hitters, leading MLB with 32 home runs and a .988 OPS. But the value of Ohtani isn’t in choosing between hitter or pitcher. It’s in balancing both, carefully, for as long as possible.
For the Dodgers, that means embracing a measured return on the mound. For Ohtani, it means chasing greatness without burning out. If managed right, the Dodgers might not just get the best pitcher in baseball — they might get him for years to come.