Los Angeles Dodgers General Manager Brandon Gomes made it clear on Monday that Shohei Ohtani’s future as a two-way player remains firmly intact, putting to rest any speculation that the Japanese superstar might abandon pitching to focus solely on hitting.
Ohtani, who has been the Dodgers’ designated hitter this season, is currently on the road to recovery as a pitcher after undergoing his second major elbow surgery last September.
As he inches closer to returning to the mound, some have questioned whether it might be wiser for him to concentrate exclusively on his batting to preserve his health and prolong his career.
When asked about this possibility during a press conference on Monday, Gomes emphatically dismissed the idea that Ohtani should give up pitching. “Ohtani’s ability to do both brings exponential value,” Gomes stated, according to ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez. “Even if his offensive performance were to take a small step back, it would still be incredibly valuable because he can excel in both areas. And let’s not forget, even if his offense did decline slightly, it would still be MVP-caliber. His ability to excel as both a pitcher and a hitter is something that’s still underappreciated.”
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Gomes’ comments underscore just how much the Dodgers value Ohtani’s dual-threat capabilities, which have made him one of the most electrifying players in baseball.
Despite not taking the field defensively this season, Ohtani has continued to dominate at the plate, boasting a .302 batting average with 34 home runs, 81 RBIs, and an impressive 1.008 OPS through 112 games.
There has been speculation that Ohtani, during his free agency negotiations last offseason, specifically requested the opportunity to continue as a two-way player.
While the exact details of those discussions remain private, it’s clear that the Dodgers are committed to supporting Ohtani’s ambitions to both pitch and hit.
As Ohtani works towards his return to the mound, the Dodgers organization appears confident in his ability to continue excelling as a two-way player, recognizing the unique and historic contributions he brings to the game.
For now, the baseball world waits in anticipation to see Ohtani back on the mound, proving once again why he is one of the most remarkable talents in the sport.
