The future of Shohei Ohtani

[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...

[mrreality68]

He had the surgery and it went well.
He states now that as we all guessed is that he will Hit/DH next year and be pitching and hitting in 2025.

Now we wait for the off season and see what offers come in for him and where he lands

[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.

[packs]

I’ve never seen a starting pitcher leave the dug out to start warming up between long innings. I don’t think you can do that.