Shohei Ohtani is pushing back against workload restrictions, proving his elite value by dominating on the mound while delivering explosive power at the plate for Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani continues adjusting to a challenge he has rarely faced in his career: Balancing a full two-way workload while remaining healthy over an entire season.
With Ohtani fully healthy for the first time since 2023, the Dodgers have taken a cautious approach in managing both his pitching and offensive responsibilities. Part of that strategy has included keeping him out of the lineup on some of his pitching days, a plan Ohtani has not completely embraced.
That was not the case in his most recent outing against the San Diego Padres on Wednesday. Ohtani both pitched and hit in the same game, immediately making an impact by leading off with a solo home run.
Ohtani explained that he prefers continuing in a full two-way role whenever possible. He noted that strong performances both on the mound and at the plate could create more opportunities for the Dodgers to continue using him in that capacity moving forward.
“For them to say they want me to [pitch and hit in the same game], I think is what’s best for me,” Ohtani said in Japanese according to the New York Post. “I think that if I can pitch well and produce good results hitting like I did today, I think there will be more opportunities for them to use me [as a two-way player] in the future.”
The Dodgers have been mindful of potential fatigue contributing to Ohtani’s slower offensive start, though the two-way star has consistently downplayed that concern.
Entering the weekend, Ohtani was batting .276 with eight home runs, 28 RBIs, and an .882 OPS. His production has started trending upward again following two consecutive games out of the lineup under manager Dave Roberts’ direction.
While the offensive numbers have not fully reached his usual standards yet, Ohtani’s work on the mound has been dominant. Across eight starts, he owns a 0.73 ERA and 0.84 WHIP in 49 innings and has firmly entered the National League Cy Young conversation.
Despite his desire to continue handling both responsibilities simultaneously, Ohtani also acknowledged that the Dodgers are trying to manage his workload carefully over the course of a long season.
He expressed support for the organization’s approach and emphasized the importance of maintaining communication and flexibility to help maximize his performance throughout the year.
“I think the team is thinking about a lot of things to help me get through a long season, so I support that opinion,” Ohtani noted. “If we can understand each other, be satisfied and take it game by game, regardless of when I rest or when I play, I think the chances of performing well will increase.”
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