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Shohei Ohtani has possibly changed the way baseball is played forever, thanks to his incredible two-way abilities. While two-way players have always existed, no one has been as effective at both sides of the game the way that the Los Angeles Dodgers star has been.
Unfortunately for those fans looking to see the athletic unicorn the Japanese sensation take to the mound this season, it will not be happening. The two-time MVP has been ramping up his throwing program as he continues his recovery from surgery to repair a UCL tear in his right elbow.
Despite reports that Ohtani has been increasing his throwing, he will not be taking to the mound in an official game this season, per MLB insider Alden Gonzalez.
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"He's going to get off a mound here pretty soon," Gonzalez said on an episode of Dodgers Territory. ... "The Dodgers want him to face hitters, simulated game, light batting practice. The Dodgers will not be pitching him in the playoffs, that's out of the question."
Even though the baseball community will not get to see the global sensation throw during the postseason, if he does not suffer any setbacks, he will likely join the Dodgers rotation next season.
Shohei Ohtani will also not likely be playing in the outfield this season either
This offseason, the Los Angeles Dodgers changed the MLB landscape by signing Ohtani to an unfathomable 10-year, $700,000,000 deal despite this serious elbow surgery. Given that level of financial commitment, it's not shocking that the team is looking to protect their star as much as possible.
Not only will Ohtani not return to the mound for the Dodgers this season, but President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman also poured water on the idea of Ohtani playing in the outfield this season.
In an episode of MLB Now, Friedman said that it was unlikely that the two-time MVP would play in the outfield even if he was cleared to throw. For now, fans will need to watch the magician work with the bat.
