Shohei Ohtani is baseball’s once-in-a-century marvel — a superstar hitter and a front-line starting pitcher rolled into one. But as the 2025 MLB season enters its stretch run, all eyes are locked on how the two-way sensation will handle the mound in the coming months. After undergoing a second Tommy John surgery in late 2023, Ohtani sat out the entire 2024 season as a pitcher, focusing solely on his batting. This year, he’s back to doing double duty, but the intrigue around his pitching remains heightened like never before.
So, what can fans realistically expect from Ohtani the pitcher for the rest of 2025?
Workload Management Will Be Critical
First and foremost, the Los Angeles Dodgers — or whichever team he’s wearing blue for — are handling Ohtani with extreme care. Post-Tommy John recoveries are delicate, and Ohtani already knows the stakes. In 2018, after his first surgery, the Angels handled him cautiously, gradually ramping up his workload over the next few seasons. Now, at 31, the stakes are even higher: both for Ohtani’s longevity and for the massive investment his team has made in him.
Expect the Dodgers to continue using a six-man rotation or creatively spacing out his starts. Skipping occasional turns, limiting pitch counts, and avoiding back-to-back starts against heavy-hitting lineups will all be on the table. Fans shouldn’t be surprised to see Ohtani capped at around 120 innings for the season, which means anywhere from 12 to 15 more starts depending on health and postseason positioning.
Command Over Power
Before his latest surgery, Ohtani was known for his electric triple-digit fastball, devastating splitter, and a sharp slider. While his velocity remains strong — reports indicate he’s still sitting in the mid-to-upper 90s — the real test will be command. Pitchers returning from Tommy John often regain their velocity before they fully recover the feel for locating pitches. Early in 2025, we’ve already seen glimpses of inconsistency: moments of brilliance mixed with innings where his location drifts and he’s forced to battle.
Going forward, expect him to lean more on finesse and pitch sequencing rather than trying to blow every hitter away. Ohtani is a student of the game, and if there’s anyone who can adapt, it’s him. His slider and splitter will remain his go-to weapons for strikeouts, but the fastball’s effectiveness will hinge on location rather than sheer speed.
Impact on His Hitting
The biggest wild card remains how pitching affects his production at the plate. So far this season, Ohtani’s batting numbers have stayed elite despite the extra workload on the mound — a testament to his unmatched discipline and training. But as innings and pitches add up, fatigue is inevitable. The Dodgers have already hinted that they won’t hesitate to adjust his DH days if needed to keep his arm fresh. Don’t be surprised if he gets more off days, especially after tough starts or in the dog days of August.
Postseason Outlook
If the Dodgers are in contention — and with Ohtani and Mookie Betts anchoring their star-studded roster, they should be — his October role could get fascinating. Will they stretch him out as a traditional starter, or use him in a hybrid role, perhaps as a late-season bullpen weapon to limit stress? A short relief stint could let him air out his stuff without worrying about pitch counts. It’s the kind of wrinkle that could give the Dodgers a strategic edge and protect his elbow for the long haul.
What Success Looks Like
Realistically, expecting Ohtani to pitch like a Cy Young contender immediately after major surgery is unfair. If he can post a mid-3.00s ERA, stay healthy, and deliver five to six quality innings most times out, that’s a massive win for the Dodgers — and for baseball fans worldwide. More importantly, a healthy 2025 sets him up for a more normal workload in 2026 and beyond, which is critical if he wants to keep rewriting history books as a true two-way phenomenon.
In short: expect brilliance in bursts, cautious management, and the same sense of wonder every time Shohei Ohtani toes the rubber. If all goes well, 2025 should mark the return of one of the greatest pitching shows in the
game — with an eye firmly fixed on
