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Normal is not a word used to describe Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani. This could be said about practically every aspect of Ohtani’s tenure in L.A.
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When the Dodgers signed Ohtani in December 2023, his contract was extremely unusual as it was deferred. Ohtani’s performance was nothing short of remarkable, as the Dodgers star gave fans one of the best performances in all of baseball in 2024.
Ohtani was named the NL MVP, became a World Series champion, and opened the 50-50 club all in his first season with the Dodgers—once again, not a typical season for any MLB player.
For the 2025 season, in a sense, things will turn back to “normal” for Ohtani when he makes his two-way player debut for the Dodgers. He spent the 2024 season exclusively as a designated hitter, something out of the norm for Ohtani.
Ohtani’s two-way status will require some adjustments, indicating the 2025 season will likely showcase a different performance from the Dodgers superstar.
For one, Ohtani likely won’t be stealing as many bases as he did last season. Although Ohtani stole 59 bags in 2024, as a two-way player in 2025 the risk of injury is simply too high for the Dodgers star to be as aggressive.
There is also the possibility Ohtani will take more days off. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts provided more context behind the potential adjustment.
“I do think there’s going to be more off-days, as far as on the DH side,” Roberts said. “But I think, for me, we haven’t got there yet as far as what he’s comfortable with, what he feels good about. I’m looking forward to those conversations, but it’s obviously going to be a little more complex than it was last year.”
Ohtani is expected to be ready to pitch in May, which is when the Dodgers are expected to go from a five-man rotation to a six-man rotation. However, unlike the typical situation with pitchers who return from injury, Ohtani will not be able to go on a rehab assignment since he is needed in the lineup.
“There’s not going to be a rehab involved because obviously we need him to be active on the roster to take at-bats (as DH),” Roberts said.
One question surrounding Ohtani’s impending two-way debut is whether he should remain as the Dodgers’ leadoff hitter. Regardless, the Dodgers star is poised for another historic performance in 2025.
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Photo Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
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