Dodgers Supporters Should Be Holding Their Breath Due to Shohei Ohtani’s Injury Caution

As the MLB offseason continues to unfold, one of the most anticipated and high-stakes stories for Los Angeles Dodgers fans is the potential signing of Shohei Ohtani. The two-way phenom has captivated the baseball world for years with his rare combination of elite pitching and powerful hitting, making him a once-in-a-generation talent. However, a cloud of uncertainty looms over his future, as concerns about Ohtani’s recent injury issues are causing ripples throughout the sport. For Dodgers fans, the combination of his immense talent and the lingering caution around his health makes this one of the most pivotal moments in the team’s history.

This article will explore why Ohtani’s injury caution should give Dodgers fans pause, examining the specifics of his injuries, the risks associated with his signing, and how the Dodgers, a team already with high expectations, might navigate this challenging situation.

Shohei Ohtani’s Unique Talent

Shohei Ohtani’s value cannot be overstated. He is a generational talent, capable of excelling as both a hitter and a pitcher, something almost unheard of in today’s modern game. On the mound, Ohtani has regularly posted strikeout rates above 10 per nine innings, coupled with an ERA that regularly puts him among the league’s elite starters. At the plate, Ohtani has hit 30-plus home runs in each of the past few seasons and can consistently produce at a high level offensively. The idea of acquiring a player who can dominate both on the mound and at the plate is not just enticing—it’s revolutionary.

In an era where players are increasingly specialized, Ohtani has shown that he can break the mold. His value is immense, and it’s why so many teams, including the Dodgers, are reportedly heavily pursuing him in free agency. Given his talent, Ohtani has the potential to change the dynamic of a franchise in ways few players ever could.

The Injury History and Current Caution

However, there is a major complicating factor: Ohtani’s recent injury history. While his body of work is impressive, it hasn’t come without its setbacks. In August 2023, Ohtani was diagnosed with a torn UCL in his right elbow. This is the same injury that led to Tommy John surgery for pitchers, a procedure that typically requires a year of recovery and rehab. For most pitchers, a Tommy John surgery would mark the end of their season, but Ohtani was able to continue hitting for the remainder of the year, albeit with noticeable limitations as he played through discomfort.

The decision to forgo surgery at that time raised eyebrows across the league, as many wondered whether Ohtani would be able to maintain his two-way status long-term. At the conclusion of the 2023 season, Ohtani chose to focus on his recovery as a pitcher, and in December, it was confirmed that he would be undergoing surgery to repair the UCL tear, a decision that could see him sidelined for a significant portion of the 2024 season.

To make matters even more complicated, Ohtani also suffered a left oblique strain that led to a shorter-than-expected stint as a hitter in 2023. While he still posted remarkable offensive numbers, the strain forced him to miss valuable time and highlighted how fragile his dual-threat ability can be. Dodgers fans, already dreaming of Ohtani’s potential as both a pitcher and hitter, now face the reality that one of the game’s most exciting players might not be able to do both for the foreseeable future.

The Financial Gamble

The Dodgers, known for their deep pockets, have long been considered a potential landing spot for Ohtani due to their financial might and commitment to winning. The Dodgers have spent big in the past, signing players like Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman, but Ohtani is on another level altogether. A potential deal for Ohtani could cost the team upwards of $500 million, depending on the terms, making it one of the largest contracts in baseball history. For a player of his caliber, this would seem like an investment worth making. However, the risk involved is significant.

The Dodgers, like any team, must weigh the long-term implications of such a large investment. The fact that Ohtani will be rehabbing his elbow for at least part of the 2024 season means that his ability to contribute as a pitcher will be delayed. While he may be available to hit for most of the season, this means that the Dodgers would be paying a significant amount of money for a player who is not necessarily contributing in the way he was in 2023.

For a team like the Dodgers, who have a well-established winning culture and a roster already packed with talent, the immediate return on an Ohtani investment might not be as guaranteed as it once seemed. The Dodgers could be looking at an extended period without Ohtani’s pitching contributions, which leaves the team vulnerable to potential shortcomings in their rotation. With players like Clayton Kershaw in the twilight of his career and questions about the depth of their pitching staff, the Dodgers’ window of opportunity to win another World Series might be closing. Investing in a player whose pitching future is uncertain could create a difficult balancing act for the franchise.

The Health Risks of the Two-Way Player

One of the most challenging aspects of signing Ohtani is the inherent risk of his status as a two-way player. Playing both as a pitcher and hitter increases the physical toll on his body. While there have been some successful examples of two-way players in the past, modern baseball has moved away from this approach because of the physical strain it can place on athletes. Ohtani, despite his otherworldly abilities, is not immune to the dangers of overuse injuries. His UCL tear and subsequent surgery are just the most recent examples of how taxing his playing style can be.

The idea of Ohtani returning to form as both a hitter and a pitcher presents significant hurdles. The Dodgers would need to carefully manage his workload to avoid further injury. There would be a need for continuous monitoring of his arm health, especially considering the nature of his role as a pitcher. Furthermore, Ohtani’s oblique strain in 2023 highlighted another potential issue: the physical toll his swing places on his body.

Given Ohtani’s status as a two-way player, any significant injury could have long-term consequences for the Dodgers, and that’s something the team needs to be mindful of when constructing a potential contract. While the upside is enormous, the reality of managing his injuries and ensuring that he can perform at a high level year after year is no small task.

Dodgers’ Possible Approach to Ohtani’s Injury Concerns

The Dodgers are not strangers to dealing with injury-prone players. In recent seasons, they have managed the health of players like Mookie Betts, who dealt with back issues, and Walker Buehler, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery. The key for the Dodgers will be ensuring that they don’t rush Ohtani back from his elbow surgery too quickly. They will need to be patient and understand that his long-term health is more important than any immediate return to the field.

The team could potentially ease Ohtani into his pitching role by limiting his starts or finding ways to reduce the strain on his arm. As for his hitting, the Dodgers might adopt a similar approach, ensuring that Ohtani doesn’t overexert himself as he recovers from his oblique strain and works his way back into full health.

Furthermore, the Dodgers’ depth and versatility could play a role in mitigating the risk associated with Ohtani’s health. With a deep farm system and a history of making savvy moves, the Dodgers could navigate the potential absence of Ohtani as a pitcher, while still maximizing his value as a hitter.