Dodgers Face Major Shohei Ohtani Pitching Decision

Segment Spotlight: Quick Hits From Outspoken With Dan Sileo

Dodgers Face Decisions on Shohei Ohtani’s Future and Roster Plans

The Dodgers may soon need to decide how Shohei Ohtani will be used as injuries and wear and tear become greater concerns. With the team’s $70 million investment in mind, the options would be to use him exclusively at the plate or allow him to continue doing both—not make him a pitcher exclusively.

Ohtani loves to hit, and that remains his bread and butter. Although he has said that he wants to continue pitching, his pitching days could already be over or nearing an end. If he does return to the mound, next year could be his final season as a pitcher.

For Andrew Friedman and the Dodgers, the likely approach is to keep the core together and largely run it back. With a retirement and several contract decisions ahead, the organization could bring in additional bullpen arms while also relying on young players such as De Paula and Paez.

Signing Tarik Skubal before December 1 and a potential lockout was also presented as a move that would make sense. However, questions surrounding the Mark Walter investigation and how much money the organization has available could affect that possibility.