Shohei Ohtani’s historic impact on baseball is unquestioned, but as he approaches the next phase of his career with the Los Angeles Dodgers, one MLB insider is raising an intriguing possibility: What happens if Ohtani never fully returns to the mound?
Ohtani Doing Ohtani Things in Year Two
Ohtani is currently in the second year of a $700 million, ten-year contract with the Dodgers. As the designated hitter in his debut season in Los Angeles, he excelled, winning National League MVP and demonstrating once more why he is one of the game’s most captivating talents. He is currently in his second season and is once again producing at an elite level. His batting average of .290, 23 home runs, and OPS of over 1.000 put him in the top of the league in many of the offensive categories.
Ohtani’s highly anticipated Dodgers pitching debut is still on hold despite his offensive success. The team is carefully trying to get him back into throwing shape after he had elbow surgery. However, if his arm doesn’t heal the way it used to, there is increasing skepticism over what the long-term future may contain.
Dodgers Nation columnist Doug McKain, who recently featured Angels beat writer Jeff Fletcher, one of the most well-known voices about Ohtani’s career, sparked that idea on Dodgers Dougout Live.
Do you want to see the Dodgers use Shohei Ohtani in the outfield once he’s done pitching? Why or why not?https://t.co/kYhaVQt4Q4
— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) June 13, 2025
“What’s gonna be super interesting is let’s just say the pitching just doesn’t work, and he has all these years on his contract, I think you gotta play him in a position. If you realize that he can’t be a pitcher anymore, you just can’t have your DH spot locked up into one guy for seven, eight more years,” Fletcher said.
Absurd, But Can It Happen?
The idea may seem surprising at first, especially given Ohtani’s success at the plate. However, Fletcher’s comments are rooted in Ohtani’s overall athleticism and his past preparation for playing defense. During the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, when Ohtani struggled on the mound, he was reportedly seen taking reps at both right field and first base while shagging fly balls in batting practice.
While Ohtani has yet to play a defensive inning in the major leagues outside of pitching, Fletcher’s belief that Ohtani is “too good of an athlete” to only serve as a DH raises an interesting long-term discussion. In a league where roster flexibility is key, the idea of maximizing Ohtani’s full skill set, especially if pitching is no longer viable, may eventually become a reality.
For now, the Dodgers and fans will wait patiently for his return to the mound. But if that day never fully comes, the conversation about Ohtani’s role may shift in a dramatic way, and as Fletcher suggests, that shift could come with a glove.