His performances as a pure designated hitter were good enough to earn him National League MVP honors in 2024, but Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani has a strong desire to remain a two-way player for as long as possible .
In an online press conference on Monday, Ohtani also revealed that he wants to start throwing again at the start of the new season after undergoing surgery on his left shoulder, which he dislocated during Game 2 of the World Series in October.
Baseball star Ohtani wants to be fit for the start of the season in Japan
The Dodgers will open the 2025 season on March 18 in Tokyo against the Chicago Cubs, and while manager Dave Roberts thinks Ohtani’s appearance in Japan is unlikely, the player himself seems more optimistic.
“I want to focus on getting back as soon as possible and the earliest time is when the season starts,” Ohtani said.
Ohtani spent last season, his first at Dodger Stadium, focusing on hitting while rehabilitating his throwing arm following his second major elbow surgery in the fall of 2023.
He became the first Major League Baseball player to hit 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season while leading the NL in home runs and RBIs.
He also experienced his first MLB playoff appearance en route to winning the World Series against the New York Yankees.
The 30-year-old hopes his throwing arm will last “five or six years” after recent elbow surgery, but says he’s willing to go under the knife a third time if necessary to continue his two-game career. Way-Player to extend.
“From a young age, I built my body with the expectation that I would get injured. When the workload increases, surgery for chronic elbow problems is inevitable,” he said.
“I want to continue playing as a two-way player for a long time. Realistically, two surgeries is the maximum you want as a pitcher. If I need a third one, I don’t want it to happen for another five years. Given my age, whether surgery followed by a year-long recovery period is the right step after I turn 35 will depend on my condition at that time.”