Was the Shohei Ohtani of the last two seasons just a prelude?
After his first healthy offseason with the Los Angeles Dodgers, it’s possible the best player in baseball could be even better.
Jack Harris of the California Post sat down with the Foul Territory show to discuss the Dodger, noting that when it comes to the two-way superstar, “nothing’s going to hold him back physically.”
“He was past the Tommy John recovery. He was past the shoulder surgery that he had last offseason, and it’s allowed him to come into camp in as good of a spot this early on as the Dodgers have seen him,” he said.
Team is Optimistic but Careful Regarding Ohtani
Ohtani is healthy, but he’s still coming off a grueling World Series run and is playing in the World Baseball Classic in March.
Though he’s likely not pitching in the WBC, Ohtani will still participate as designated hitter.
With him playing such a big role at the plate for Japan and the Dodgers, the team is hoping to keep him fresh for the playoffs late in the season by easing him into the pitching this year.
Thus far, the team has been reticent to definitively declare that Ohtani will pitch without restrictions on Opening Day.
“You’re going to see them be still a little more methodical with how he’s used over the course of the year, given the two-way workload and the fact that they want him to be as fresh as possible come October, but this is as close as we’re going to see back to a full-time two-way Shohei Ohtani,” Harris said.
As for what that could mean when Ohtani does take the mound, Harris said he expects shorter outings, at least at first.
“My guess is he’s not going to be fully ramped up for six or seven innings the first couple times he takes the mound this year as a pitcher,” Harris said.
Ohtani Won’t Pitch in WBC — Or Will He?
Ohtani isn’t supposed to pitch in the WBC at all, though he’s admitted there’s one situation that might force his hand.
If a repeat of his face off with former Angels teammate Mike Trout were to magically occur, he’d be tempted.
“Yeah, if Trout is coming up at the end, I might go in,” he said.
Fortunately for Dodgers fans, Trout is going to miss the WBC due to insurance issues.