Dodgers GM Explains How Team Plans to Use 2024 NL MVP Shohei Ohtani as Two-Way Star Following Return to Pitching

Shohei Ohtani returned to the pitching mound last Monday against the San Diego Padres and has since then made another start in the MLB.

Dodgers GM Explains How Team Plans to Use 2024 NL MVP Shohei Ohtani as Two-Way Star Following Return to Pitching

Shohei Ohtani (Image via X/@AM570LASports)

Shohei Ohtani is back to being a two-way star. The Japanese international last week marked his return to pitching against the San Diego Padres. With him now playing both roles, Los Angeles Dodgers General Manager Brandon Gomes recently explained how the team plans to use him.

Ohtani injured his elbow in August 2023 when he was playing for the Los Angeles Angels. He was forced to undergo a surgery regarding this and did not pitch in the entire 2024 campaign with the Dodgers.

On Monday, June 16th, Ohtani made his first pitching start for his new team. In the game against the Padres, the 2024 National League MVP threw one inning and gave up one run on two hits. A few days on Sunday, he made his 2nd start from the mound.

Once again, he just threw one inning. However, this time he did manage to pick up a strikeout. In fact, he ended with 2 strikeouts through 18 pitches against the Washington Nationals.

The way he has been used so far, many are wondering whether he will just be used as an opener or even given chances to come out of the bullpen and act as a relief pitcher. While speaking in an interview on MLB Now, GM Brandon Gomes provided an update regarding how the team plans to use Ohtani as a two-way star.

I think it’s very much about taking it how he feels coming out of every outing and seeing where he’s at. We’ll take a few days to assess, and then we can make our decision from that point... Any inning that he can give us is only a positive, especially if he’s starting the game… Like I said, we’ll take it outing by outing and look to build him up along the way.

Gomes had previously mentioned that the team will not be rushing him to return to the mound. The Dodgers’ Executive Vice President (EVP) had also claimed that the workload of Ohtani will be managed regarding how he felt.

Shohei Ohtani continues to rake for Dodgers amid return to pitching

Shohei Ohtani has once again been in top form this season. After founding the 50-50 club last season and breaking several records, he has continued to rake in this year as well.

Shohei Ohtani
Shohei Ohtani (Image via Imago)

In the game against the Colorado Rockies, who currently hold the worst record in the league, Ohtani went yard once again. The 30-year-old slammed his 27th home run of the season to extend the Dodgers’ lead.

In the sixth inning, he showcased his power to the world once again as he went opposite field at Coors Field. He would connect on a 92 mph fastball of the Rockies’ relief pitcher Ryan Rolison. His two-run home run in this game extended the lead of the team by 3 runs.

The Dodgers ended up winning the game 9-7 and clinched their 49th win of the season. A win on Wednesday will see them become the 2nd team after the Detroit Tigers to reach the 50-win mark.

Shohei Ohtani on top in All-Star Game voting from National League

With the month of July inching closer, the attention of MLB fans will soon turn towards the annual All-Star Game. While the voting for this game is underway, Shohei Ohtani continues to lead in the voting from the National League side.

Shohei Ohtani
Shohei Ohtani (Image via Imago)

This past Monday, the first update regarding the All-Star voting was released. Ohtani, who is a 4-time All-Star in MLB, seems to be on pace for another ASG this year.

He is currently the leading vote-getter from the NL with around 2.5 million votes. As for the American League, the reigning AL MVP, Aaron Judge, is the leading vote-getter with around 2.6 million votes.

If the two superstars remain on top of this, they will get to bypass the next phase of voting and will earn an outright starting assignment. Everyone else will need to go through another phase of voting as fans will finalize the positions for this game.

The ASG this year will be played at Truist Park, home of the Atlanta Braves, on July 15. The American League have the edge of the National League in this game, winning 9 out of the last 10 such encounters.

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