"I will do it again next year" Ohtani declares two-way play 'again' despite criticism over Dodgers' elimination, LA media also critical: "If not 100% healthy, he should inform the team"

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A new challenge has emerged for the Los Angeles Dodgers, whose bid for a third consecutive World Series title ended in vain, centered on Shohei Ohtani's (32) "two-way play." Local criticism has even arisen arguing that rather than simply respecting the player's will to keep playing despite injuries, the team should now actively step in to stop him.

The U.S. media outlet The Los Angeles Times asserted on the 16th (Korean time), "The Dodgers must prioritize Ohtani's workload management. Otherwise, they will pay the price." It further pointed out regarding Ohtani, "If he is not 100% healthy, he should let the Dodgers know."

Ohtani struggled with issues in his left knee and right biceps this season. Ultimately, after July 3, he was unable to take the pitcher's mound, and it was confirmed in September that he would not pitch again this year. While he continued to play as a hitter, his batting performance also deteriorated sharply toward the end of the season.

The concerns became reality in the postseason. Ohtani managed only a .192 batting average (5 hits in 26 at-bats), 1 home run, 3 RBIs, and 10 strikeouts across 8 games through the National League Division Series (NLDS) against the Atlanta Braves and the Championship Series (NLCS) against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Eventually, during the NLCS, a heated debate erupted over Ohtani's exclusion from the starting lineup, and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts respected the player's desire to play, while criticism from local media intensified.

Earlier on the 13th, The Los Angeles Times had argued that "The Dodgers should have excluded Ohtani from the postseason roster." The criticism was that the Dodgers, who value managing players' stamina throughout the regular season to field their best lineup in October, failed to apply the same principle to Ohtani, whose physical condition was poor.

He saved face at the last moment, but that was all. On the 16th, Ohtani hit a home run against Milwaukee in Game 4 of the NLCS for the first time in about two months. With runners on first and second base and two outs in the second inning, he hit a three-run homer to give the Dodgers a 4-0 lead. However, he struck out in all his remaining three at-bats, and the Dodgers suffered a 4-6 comeback loss, falling 0-4 in the series and being eliminated.

The Los Angeles Times went a step further, arguing that Ohtani also bears responsibility for this elimination. It stated that if an unhealthy Ohtani continues to play, it will not end with just one player's performance decline; rather, the entire Dodgers lineup, valued at approximately 4 billion dollars, could be affected. In fact, in the most critical postseason, center-hitter Ohtani was unable to bat normally, and the bid for a three-peat ultimately ended in the NLCS.

Yet, the option of giving up "two-way play" has not yet been presented to Ohtani. In Japan as well, the most notable point after the game was his plans for next year. After the end of the NLCS, Ohtani answered "Definitely yes" when asked by local reporters, "Do you intend to pitch again in 2027?"

The issue is his physical condition. When asked whether he needs additional surgery on his left knee and right arm, Ohtani said, "I don't know yet," leaving the possibility open. The Los Angeles Times also reported, "It remains to be seen whether rest and rehabilitation this winter will be sufficient or if surgery will be necessary."

Ohtani, who signed a 10-year, 700 million dollar (approximately 933.5 billion won) contract with the Dodgers ahead of the 2024 season, still has 7 years remaining on his deal. Considering that Ohtani has exceeded 132 innings in a single season only once since 2016, the Dodgers have no choice but to consider how to utilize him as a pitcher going forward.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original