Shohei Ohtani is the most well-known player in the MLB right now, and for good reason. He’s the only player in over 100 years to be a full-time pitcher and hitter. But after his latest injury, people wonder if he should keep doing both.
In September 2023, Ohtani injured his elbow while playing for the Los Angeles Angels. He needed surgery that ended his season on the mound. Instead of pitching, he focused just on hitting and blew everyone away. That’s how good he is.
As a result, Ohtani is worth a lot. He signed the largest deal in sports history with a 10-year, $700,000,000 contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers in September 2023. Part of the reason those numbers are so high is — undoubtedly — because he’s a two-way player. But, his health needs to come first to make this season and his career last. Here’s why, as proven by an important MLB insider.
The Chances of Shohei Ohtani Pitching in the Postseason Are Slim to None
According to Jake Mintz of Yahoo Sports and as reposted on MLB.com, Ohtani will not be doing any sort of pitching for the Los Angeles Dodgers by the time the postseason rolls around because it isn’t worth the potential risk and wear and tear on the Japanese native’s body.
“There’s a compelling argument that utilizing Ohtani, the pitcher, in the postseason represents an unnecessary risk, a risk that, in a worst-case scenario, could sink this Dodgers juggernaut,” Mintz said. “Because while L.A.’s starting staff has been decimated by injuries in 2025, there remains a strong chance that the Dodgers enter October with enough healthy, competent starters.
So while everyone — except for opposing hitters — would love to see Ohtani on the bump in the postseason, what the people want and what’s optimal for his team might be two very different things.”
Besides, the two-way superstar is still recovering from his Sept. 2023 Tommy John (UCL reconstruction) surgery. This was also his second of that particular type of injury and resulting surgery; his first was in 2018. Aside from these more serious career pauses, his injury timeline is lengthy, even for a four-time consecutive All-Star.
Ohtani suffered his first injury in MLB on June 7, 2018. He suffered a right elbow UCL sprain and was placed on the 10-day disabled list. He then suffered from a left knee injury on September 12, 2019, which was a season-ending injury. Next came a pronator (Aug. 3, 2020) and oblique injury (Sept. 4, 2023).
Even with all that, Ohtani is still one of the best hitters in the game. He’s a four-time All-Star and a two-time MVP. But if the Dodgers want to protect their $700 million investment, it might be smart to let him hit for now.