Shohei Ohtani and the Dodgers’ Hidden Strategy: Why They’re Quietly Preventing the Two-Way Superstar from Pitching Again in 2025

Shohei Ohtani is not just the most intriguing player in Major League Baseball—he may be the most unprecedented athlete in modern professional sports. A legitimate ace on the mound and an elite slugger at the plate, Ohtani has redefined what it means to be a two-way player. But as the 2025 MLB season unfolds, fans, analysts, and rival teams alike are beginning to notice something strange: the Los Angeles Dodgers aren’t rushing their $700 million superstar back to the mound. While the official stance remains cautious optimism as Ohtani rehabs from his second UCL surgery, whispers around the league suggest something deeper may be in play. The Dodgers, it seems, have a secret plan—one that involves quietly preventing him from pitching again, at least for the foreseeable future.

Ohtani last pitched in August 2023 before elbow discomfort led to the discovery of a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right arm. It was a devastating blow for the Angels, who were already on the fringe of playoff contention. It also cast a long shadow over what would become the most lucrative free agent pursuit in baseball history. That shadow didn’t dim his marketability or his mystique. The Dodgers swept in during the winter of 2023 and signed Ohtani to a historic deal, filled with deferrals and incentives but most importantly, long-term vision.

Publicly, the Dodgers and Ohtani maintained that he would not pitch during the 2024 season as he recovered from surgery, but would return to two-way status in 2025. Yet here we are, in May 2025, and there’s been little concrete movement toward that goal. The Dodgers haven’t even placed him on a mound for simulated games. He continues to dominate offensively, showing no signs of discomfort at the plate, and the team continues to flourish in the standings. And that may be the point.

Privately, team sources—speaking under anonymity—have indicated that the Dodgers are in no hurry to bring Ohtani back to the mound. “There’s no immediate pressure,” one official said. “He’s playing at an MVP level as a hitter, and we’re winning. Why push it?” The sentiment seems to reflect a shift in how the organization views risk versus reward. The Dodgers made a massive financial investment in Ohtani. They did it knowing his arm had already required one Tommy John surgery and might not hold up over a full return to pitching.

To understand why the Dodgers might prefer to “delay” or even shelve Ohtani’s pitching comeback, we must consider a few key factors. First, the economics. While his contract was marketed at $700 million, Ohtani structured it in a way that most of the money is deferred well into the future. That gave the Dodgers short-term payroll flexibility. However, make no mistake: they want to protect that long-term investment. If Ohtani reinjures his arm by trying to pitch too soon—or worse, suffers a third UCL injury—it could drastically alter the value of their deal.

Second, the emergence of a dominant Dodgers pitching staff has rendered Ohtani’s return to the mound less urgent. With Tyler Glasnow healthy and pitching like an ace, Bobby Miller showing flashes of brilliance, and Walker Buehler returning to form, Los Angeles doesn’t need Ohtani on the mound to compete for a World Series. In fact, some in the front office believe adding his arm could complicate things rather than help. His pitching schedule requires coordination, rest days, and specific recovery timelines that disrupt roster flexibility. As a designated hitter, Ohtani plays almost every day with little maintenance required.

Then there’s the influence of modern sports science. The Dodgers are one of the most analytically driven organizations in baseball. They have an entire department dedicated to biomechanics and workload management. Their data likely shows that keeping Ohtani as a full-time hitter will extend his overall career, reduce injury risk, and preserve his offensive output. Every inning he throws could be taking years off his time as a power-hitting machine. Why gamble?

It’s also possible that Ohtani himself is beginning to understand the toll pitching has taken on his body. At 30 years old, he’s not a young phenom anymore—he’s a veteran athlete with a complex medical history. He’s undergone two major elbow surgeries in less than five years. He may still crave the adrenaline of blowing 100 mph past a hitter, but he’s smart enough to recognize what’s best for his longevity. He may be quietly aligned with the Dodgers’ approach.

That’s not to say the Dodgers are lying to the public. Technically, they haven’t ruled out a return to pitching. Manager Dave Roberts has made generic statements about “taking it slow,” and Ohtani himself has said he’s “working hard” to eventually pitch again. But the timeline remains elusive. There’s a difference between a player being delayed and a team strategically holding him back. The latter feels increasingly likely.

Critics might argue that the Dodgers are robbing baseball of something historic. Ohtani as a two-way player is arguably the most captivating story in the sport. Kids model their games after him. Advertisers bank on his dual-threat appeal. But the Dodgers’ job isn’t to market the league—it’s to win titles. If keeping Ohtani healthy and dominant at the plate gives them the best shot to do that, they’ll live with the backlash.

One major variable that could shift the narrative is the postseason. If the Dodgers fall short again in October, particularly if their pitching falters, pressure may mount to unleash Ohtani’s arm in 2026. But even then, don’t expect them to commit recklessly. They’re in the business of controlled risk, not fan-service heroics. The ghost of Ohtani’s injuries past will continue to haunt every decision.

Of course, all of this could change. Maybe Ohtani builds up arm strength by the All-Star break and begins bullpen sessions. Maybe he pitches in September. Maybe the team is playing coy. But if the current trajectory continues, it would not be surprising to see Ohtani complete another full season as a hitter only—and perhaps even continue that path long term.

The Dodgers’ secret plan may not be much of a secret after all. It’s simply risk management wrapped in superstar preservation. They didn’t sign Ohtani to be a curiosity—they signed him to be a consistent, elite force in their lineup. If pitching compromises that consistency, even slightly, it’s a luxury they can afford to forgo.

In time, Ohtani may evolve from unicorn to traditional slugger. That may disappoint some, but it could ultimately be the best outcome for his health, his career, and the Dodgers’ championship aspirations. The greatest trick the Dodgers ever pulled wasn’t signing Ohtani—it was convincing the world he needed to pitch. Turns out, he may not.