The Los Angeles Dodgers have had an offseason unlike any other, but one of their greatest pitching additions in 2025 was already on the roster.
It is hard to imagine that the reigning National League MVP, who became the first player ever to hit over 50 home runs and steal over 50 stolen bases in the same season, still has a whole other facet of his game to unlock with his new team.
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Shohei Ohtani came to MLB in 2018 as a member of the Los Angeles Angels. In something that sounds like a 1920’s baseball folktale, he wasn’t just a 20 home run hitter, but a 3.31 ERA pitcher, as well.
Upon his arrival with the Dodgers — and the signing of his 10-year, $700 million blockbuster deal last offseason — it was known that the two-way star would only be hitting in 2024.
As he took the extra time to develop his offensive game with his third MVP award and opening the 50/50 club, Ohtani was recovering from a UCL surgery in his pitching elbow.
The rare greatness that was seen in his first of 10 seasons with the Dodgers is only scratching the surface.
Ohtani is ramping up his return to the mound by throwing bullpen sessions and working on a May return to pitching. Manager Dave Roberts spoke on if Ohtani has surprised the organization with his recovery so far this spring.
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“Yes, given who the player is and who the person is,” Roberts said, “but there’s still a process that we are going through. He just understands that we’ve got a long season to go, so he’s sort of bought into whatever we need from him.
“But very surprised how quick it’s gone and seeing this is great.”
Ohtani was without a doubt one of the pillars L.A. relied upon on its way to the World Series, but Ohtani furthering his baseball legacy to make a return to the bump is going to give the defending champions an edge that nobody else in MLB has on their roster.
As a pitcher, Ohtani has a career 3.01 ERA, going 38-19 since 2018. His 608 strikeouts to only 173 walks are not just impressive for an offensive talent like Ohtani, but for any pitcher in baseball.
Photo Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
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