We Could See Shohei Ohtani Play In The Field This Season For The Dodgers

Following a UCL tear in September of last year, Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani was originally not expected to play in the field until 2025. It was predicted that Ohtani would just be in a designated hitter role for the upcoming year, but Dodgers manager Dave Roberts recently said that the team’s newest addition will soon begin a throwing program that may help him play around the diamond quicker than many thought.

“Shohei this year is primarily going to be the designated hitter,” Roberts said. “Once we get back to the States, he is going to start his throwing program, which he hasn’t started yet. We’ll see how that progression goes. If his arm is healthy enough, we’ll have that conversation in the field. I do know he’s not going to pitch this year.”

Ohtani was given a 10-year, $700 million contract by the Dodgers over the offseason for the biggest contract in league history. Over the past three seasons as a pitcher, Ohtani threw in 74 total games, winning more than two-thirds of them with a combined ERA of 2.8 and 542 total strikeouts. His career record as a pitcher is 38-19. He also had his most productive season as a hitter last year, finishing with a career-high .304 batting average and 44 home runs in 135 games played.

While he works back to pitching, Ohtani will most likely see some action in the field for the Dodgers this year. He did play in left and right field for a total of eight innings in 2021, but that has been the extent of his fielding experience in the MLB. In the meantime, he will most likely be the team’s starting designated hitter, the same role he held for the Angels on days he wasn’t pitching.

With the flexibility of the Dodgers’ roster for the upcoming season, they have the ability to move different pieces around in order to maximize Ohtani while he is on the field. Max Muncy is the team’s third baseman, but in the past has proven he can play multiple fielding positions, while star Mookie Betts moved from right field to shortstop, perhaps opening an outfield spot for Ohtani as he slowly returns.

Ohtani has proven himself as a great hitter, but his pitching is what makes him the highest-valued player in the league, accomplishing feats only previously seen by baseball legend Babe Ruth. As the Dodgers slowly bring him back to his top form seen on the Angels the past few seasons, Ohtani will once again prove his value as an efficient player on both offense and defense.