Shohei Ohtani has long been one of baseball’s most electrifying players, a true once-in-a-generation talent whose ability to excel both as a hitter and a pitcher has set him apart in the sport. His combination of power at the plate and dominance on the mound has made him a global sensation, and his status as a two-way player in Major League Baseball (MLB) has placed him in a category of his own. However, recent news about his health has thrown his future as a pitcher — and perhaps his entire career trajectory — into uncertainty.
Ohtani’s return to the mound is now in jeopardy due to shoulder surgery, with experts and fans alike left wondering if or when the 2021 American League MVP will be able to pitch again. The surgery, which is set to address issues in his right throwing shoulder, has already raised significant concerns about Ohtani’s ability to continue his dual role as both a dominant hitter and pitcher. With the 2024 MLB season on the horizon and free agency looming for Ohtani, his shoulder injury has cast a cloud over his future and ignited widespread speculation about what lies ahead for the two-way phenom.
### Ohtani’s Unique Status: A Two-Way Player Like No Other
Shohei Ohtani’s impact on baseball is hard to overstate. Since entering MLB with the Los Angeles Angels in 2018, Ohtani has transformed the game in ways few could have imagined. His ability to pitch at an elite level while simultaneously providing enormous value as a hitter has made him a baseball anomaly. He is, for all intents and purposes, a modern-day Babe Ruth, albeit in an era where the game has evolved significantly from Ruth’s time.
As a pitcher, Ohtani has regularly touched triple digits with his fastball, complemented by a devastating splitter and slider. He has earned multiple All-Star selections and has been a legitimate Cy Young candidate when healthy. As a hitter, Ohtani has belted over 40 home runs in a season and consistently posted impressive numbers in batting average, RBIs, and on-base percentage.
What makes Ohtani’s achievement even more remarkable is the fact that he has performed these feats simultaneously. Playing in the unique role of a two-way player, Ohtani has been both a starting pitcher and an everyday hitter, a feat that is nearly impossible in modern baseball. This combination has not only cemented Ohtani’s legacy as one of the most exciting players to watch but also made him one of the most valuable assets in the league. The question of whether or not Ohtani can continue in this dual role is now at the forefront of conversations surrounding his future.
### The Shoulder Surgery: What We Know So Far
The news of Ohtani’s shoulder surgery came as a shock to many, especially considering the timing. Ohtani has already undergone a significant procedure earlier in the year — a procedure to repair his ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right elbow. That surgery, which came after Ohtani tore his UCL during the 2023 season, was expected to sideline him for pitching duties for at least part of the 2024 season. The focus, however, was always on his ability to continue hitting, and Ohtani had made it clear that he planned to return to the batter’s box once he had fully recovered from the Tommy John surgery.
However, Ohtani’s shoulder issue presents an entirely different set of challenges. The shoulder surgery, which is being performed to address ongoing issues with his throwing shoulder, raises significant questions about his ability to continue pitching. Reports indicate that the surgery is not as routine as the Tommy John surgery he underwent earlier in 2023. The complexities of shoulder surgeries — particularly for a pitcher who relies on his arm strength and mechanics to generate velocity — make this a more uncertain injury.
While Ohtani has not publicly confirmed a timeline for his return, and no clear timetable has been released by the Angels’ medical staff, the reality is that no one knows when, or if, he will be able to pitch again. The shoulder injury raises doubts about his ability to continue his two-way player role, as the risk of re-injury or a decline in performance could hinder his ability to perform on the mound.
### The Uncertainty Surrounding Ohtani’s Future
As Ohtani recovers from shoulder surgery, his future in both pitching and hitting is up in the air. While it’s clear that Ohtani will continue to be one of the most sought-after hitters in baseball — even if he never returns to the mound — the question of whether he can return as a pitcher is far more complicated.
For the Los Angeles Angels, this injury is a significant blow to their hopes of maximizing Ohtani’s talents. Throughout his time with the Angels, Ohtani has been the centerpiece of the team’s roster, drawing fans both to the ballpark and into the wider baseball conversation. His ability to pitch and hit has kept the Angels relevant even as the franchise has struggled to make the playoffs. Without Ohtani’s dual contributions, the Angels’ lineup and rotation would undoubtedly be less dynamic.
But even more pressing is the impact on Ohtani’s impending free agency. With the MLB offseason approaching, many teams are gearing up to make a play for the two-way superstar. Ohtani, who is expected to command one of the largest contracts in the history of baseball, has long been speculated to leave the Angels in search of a championship contender. His shoulder injury, though, complicates matters. Teams that had hoped to acquire Ohtani as both a pitcher and hitter must now reconsider their plans, knowing that the path to Ohtani’s return as a pitcher is far less certain.
### The Pitching Component: Will Ohtani Ever Pitch Again?
The primary question surrounding Ohtani’s injury is whether he will ever pitch again, or if his career as a two-way player is over. If the shoulder surgery ultimately forces him to focus solely on hitting, Ohtani will still be a massive asset — but his value as a complete player will undoubtedly diminish.
Pitching requires an entirely different skill set than hitting, and while Ohtani has already shown that he can adjust his game, the long-term toll on his body from constantly using his arm in such demanding ways is a legitimate concern. Shoulder surgeries are notoriously tricky for pitchers, and many wonder whether Ohtani’s mechanics and arm strength will ever return to the level that allowed him to dominate on the mound.
The uncertainty surrounding his recovery timeline adds to the tension. Shoulder injuries can be notoriously slow to heal, and recovery periods often vary greatly from player to player. Even if Ohtani does return to pitching, it is unclear whether he will be able to recapture his previous form. The risk of re-injury is always present, particularly when a player has already undergone Tommy John surgery, which places immense strain on the elbow and surrounding muscles.
### Ohtani’s Legacy: No Matter the Outcome
Regardless of how his recovery unfolds, Ohtani’s legacy as one of the greatest talents in baseball history is secure. His ability to hit and pitch at an elite level simultaneously is something that may never be replicated. Ohtani has already etched his name in baseball lore, breaking records, winning awards, and thrilling fans with his unique skill set.
If Ohtani’s time as a two-way player is truly over, it would be a heartbreaking conclusion for fans who have watched him defy the odds. However, even without pitching, Ohtani’s talent as a hitter places him in a category alongside the best of the best. In a sense, his future may no longer be about whether he can continue to pitch, but rather about whether he can remain one of the most exciting and valuable players in the game as a hitter.
For the Los Angeles Angels, the reality is bittersweet. While Ohtani’s potential return to the mound is uncertain, there is no question that he will continue to be one of the most electrifying figures in the game — if not in the most traditional way. As the baseball world watches his recovery closely, one thing is for certain: Shohei Ohtani will remain a force in the sport, no matter what role he plays. But whether or not he will return to his full two-way greatness remains one of the most compelling stories in baseball today.
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