What the Dodgers should consider about Shohei Ohtani’s comments on his dual role

Shohei Ohtani has expressed his desire to be a two-way player again in the upcoming season.

This wasn’t exactly surprising.

However, the way he conveyed it raised some concerns.

“I intend on doing everything,” he mentioned in Japanese.

But will next season mirror this one for the Dodgers, with Ohtani facing injuries that leave their lineup struggling to make a comeback to the World Series?

That’s not necessarily the case.

After the Dodgers were swept by the Brewers on Thursday night, Ohtani shared his frustration about his injury-ridden season, pointing out one particular disappointment more than the rest.

“I wasn’t able to pitch in the postseason,” he reflected.

This could either be great news for the Dodgers or a troubling sign for the next season.

It really depends on what Ohtani does to boost his chances of pitching come October.

Will he adjust his pitching schedule during the season and embrace some form of load management?

That could allow him to pitch when it matters most and also to remain the impactful hitter the Dodgers desperately need.

Or will he just revamp his offseason workout routine in hopes of strengthening his body to handle both pitching and hitting from Opening Day through to the World Series?

Given how quickly his last season fell apart due to injuries, this approach might not be the best idea.

Ohtani will be 33 next year.

He didn’t elaborate much on his thoughts, aside from mentioning he would contemplate a plan now that the Dodgers are out for the offseason.

The uncertainty surrounding his statements offered a mix of hope and concern, especially in how he interacted with the media.

A group of reporters from various places surrounded Ohtani as he navigated through a somewhat chaotic Q&A session that lasted about seven minutes.

Most of the questions he received lacked detail — or crucial details were lost in translation via his interpreter. Whenever he shared something significant—like his earlier quotes—more focused follow-up questions couldn’t emerge because another journalist was eager to shift the subject.

For instance, when Ohtani noted the possibility of offseason surgery while remaining vague about which body part might need attention, there was no follow-up on that point. Instead, a rather long-winded question was posed by a reporter curious about what Ohtani observed in the Brewers that the Dodgers might lack.

Previously, Ohtani had been dealing with discomfort in his right arm and left knee when he was placed on the injured list back in September. This issue likely persisted throughout the playoffs. Manager Dave Roberts had mentioned that Ohtani’s problems affected multiple areas of his body.

While Ohtani left lingering questions regarding his health—perhaps intentionally—he underscored his wish to return as a two-way player.

He expressed disappointment about not being able to pitch during the playoffs or at the season’s end.

“That’s a point of dissatisfaction,” Ohtani admitted.

“Of course, I feel like I want to continue [playing both ways]. Because of that, I want to have a good offseason,” he added.

After mentioning intent to “do everything,” he also stated, “I want to do my best so that I can have a better season [than this season].”

But effort alone won’t guarantee success. That’s where the Dodgers need to step in. They shouldn’t just be accommodating; they must collaborate as partners.

Practical approaches may not tempt Ohtani, but visions of success do.

Picture Ohtani on the mound during the World Series—perhaps in a Game 7. Unlike in 2025, when Ohtani lasted only 2 ⅓ innings against the Blue Jays, this time he secures the win.

The Dodgers have the chance to help him get there, potentially by providing more rest between starts or holding him back early in the season.

Since Ohtani doesn’t seem to have a solid plan yet, the Dodgers have a unique opportunity to influence his decisions. They need to seize it.