The future of Shohei Ohtani

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by mrreality68

Very disappointed that Ohtani packed up his locker and left.

Should have stayed with the team until the end of the season.

I mean he did take some warm up before they put him on the injured list.

And now he is in Japan not with his team and he locker is empty does not have a good look.
Even when others are injured they do not empty their lockers out. Looks like he abandoned them and are not coming back

I was a bit surprised by this as well. I am sure there is a backstory. Maybe management wanted him gone, assuming he told them he was not interested in re signing with them? Anyhow, Ohtani Act II will be very interesting. Many unanswered questions.

[cgjackson222]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

I was a bit surprised by this as well. I am sure there is a backstory. Maybe management wanted him gone, assuming he told them he was not interested in re signing with them? Anyhow, Ohtani Act II will be very interesting. Many unanswered questions.

So Ohtani has already had his elbow procedure and is hopefully on track to hit on opening day 2024 and pitch in 2025.
https://www.mlb.com/news/shohei-ohtani-surgery-update

[bk400]

I wonder if his long term plan is to come back as an old school, Mariano Rivera type closer... Can you imagine seeing him sprinting out from the bullpen in the bottom of the 9th of Game 7 of the World Series -- wearing a Dodgers uniform?

[BobbyStrawberry]

Originally Posted by bk400

I wonder if his long term plan is to come back as an old school, Mariano Rivera type closer... Can you imagine seeing him sprinting out from the bullpen in the bottom of the 9th of Game 7 of the World Series -- wearing a Dodgers uniform?

Won't he be hitting though?

[Seven]

Originally Posted by BobbyStrawberry

Won't he be hitting though?

I'm assuming he meant his return as a pitcher, which won't be until 2025.

I will say, if he returns as a pitcher, it really should be as a high leverage reliever/closer. His body cannot handle the stress of both hitting and starting pitching.

[packs]

How would that even be possible? You can't leave the field of play to warm up in the bullpen to close. And if you're a DH, I don't think you can leave the dug out to head to the bullpen either.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by packs

How would that even be possible? You can't leave the field of play to warm up in the bullpen to close. And if you're a DH, I don't think you can leave the dug out to head to the bullpen either.

One rule was changed for him already...

[jayshum]

Originally Posted by packs

How would that even be possible? You can't leave the field of play to warm up in the bullpen to close. And if you're a DH, I don't think you can leave the dug out to head to the bullpen either.

Are you sure there's a rule about warming up in the bullpen if you're the DH. I'm not sure why there would be. The bigger problem would be if his spot in the order came up to bat while he was trying to warm up.