Introduction
On the Major League Baseball (MLB) landscape, Shohei Ohtani is now a true crossover star for his unique abilities as both a pitcher and hitter. Billed justifiably as a modern-day Babe Ruth due to his dual skills, Ohtani has come out with guns blazing and literally stunned all onlookers who still marvel at the mysteriousness behind having an ace starting pitcher double up at DH in between starts. But injuries have plagued him, and his latest is a subluxation (partial dislocation) of his left shoulder. Below are new details about Ohtani’s status, as well as what that means for 2024 if we ever get there and how the Los Angeles Dodgers and baseball, in general, have responded to this news.
Injury news
The Angels 24-year-old two-way player Shohei Ohtani sustained a partial shoulder dislocation while sliding into second base during Game 2 of the World Series last night. He suffered the injury by sliding, then twisting his foot on a base, and stayed down for several moments in apparent pain. He was quickly looked at by medical staff and then helped off the field. Dodgers’ manager Dave Roberts said the injury was a subluxation of the left shoulder, and he added they would need further tests to determine if anything is torn or broken.
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And as painful as it was, there were encouraging signs; Roberts said that Ohtani maintained range of motion and strength in his elbow, which could mean the injury isn’t nearly to where many feared. Still, the Dodgers are playing it safe, understandably, based on Ohtani’s track record with injuries. It’s one more physical obstacle for him to overcome amid a procession of others in recent seasons.
Injury Concerns with Ohtani
Shohei Ohtani is a two-way star, but the downside to that package comes in his injury history — especially with regard to his elbow. He had Tommy John surgery in 2018 to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL), leaving him unable to pitch all of last season. He battled lingering elbow soreness in the following seasons as well, with a partial UCL tear necessitating another surgery procedure to remove scar tissue in 2023. The surgery required him to cease pitching for the remainder of the season, though he remained available as a designated hitter with Los Angeles.
What sets Ohtani apart is his two-way ability (pitcher, hitter), but even he has to face the strain of that dual role. The latter could further speed up his overall development. Still, considering the wear and tear of pitching plus regular batting, Ohtani is at a higher risk for injury than a player who only focuses on one aspect. This current shoulder injury and its unknown implications further complicate how he will deal with the remainder of his career.
As of those reports, the Dodgers had not yet received the results of more extensive medical testing for Ohtani. A subluxation (partial dislocation) can be extremely mild, moderate, or severe. For some severely inflamed heel spurs, rest and rehabilitation may take only a few days or even physical therapy for weeks, depending on the severity, without surgery.
The Dodgers, instead, are praying that Ohtani’s rehab goes well enough for him to be back for the current World Series. Should his condition not improve, he may miss the rest of the series. This also carries over into the offseason, as it seems unlikely that his rehab will go off without a hitch and be cleared by 2024.
Implications for the Dodgers
Ohtani’s presence is one of the reasons the Dodgers are here. Even seeing him leave the lineup temporarily is a huge loss for the team in terms of play and morale. The Dodgers literally have an additional player in that they can play Kike at either spot, or his absence leaves a hole for which there is no easy fix.
In the immediate future, it will also mean some lineup juggling for Dodgers’ Manager Dave Roberts. They have other good hitters, but they need help to replace the type of production Ohtani gives a team. Rare is the asset that can do what he does — blend power, speed, and versatility — so duplicating him position-for-position isn’t feasible.
Here Are Some Realistic 2024 Scenarios
The question now is how this will change things for Ohtani in 2024. Because of Ohtani’s injury history, the Dodgers might have to be cautious with his workload once he comes back. Below are some possible scenarios:
Either Way the Title Remains: Full Recovery and Return as a Two-Way Face
If Ohtani’s diagnosis is less extreme, he could return full-time as a two-way player. This could not be better news for Ohtani and the Dodgers, as it will provide him with an opportunity to prove that he can handle being both a pitcher and a hitter.
The Dodger’s medical and coaching staff would probably get strict on training to avoid any future injuries, leaning towards more shoulder stability work along with overall strength.
Hit, not Pitch (although you can also pitch to stay sharp)
The Dodgers have more depth than any team in the majors, so they might want to confine Ohtani’s role as a pitcher, given his injury record. That way, he could concentrate on hitting — and take all the work off his arm and shoulder.
That would leave him as a fairly potent allergic, but it would fundamentally change the way that Los Angeles can construct its rotation and bullpen.
Prolonged Recovery and a Late Opening to the Season
If the injury requires surgery or more time to heal, Ohtani may not be ready on Opening Day in 2024. The Dodgers could decide that IBBs are not worth waiting for this player to return, and then he would be out for a large part of the season.
This would be a huge blow to the team’s competitiveness, but it could potentially free up space for other players on the roster.
Broader Implications for MLB
No, Shohei Ohtani is not only a Dodger — he’s the face of baseball!! People were instantly fans of his unique talents: His story went global, particularly in Japan, where he is a national icon. His international appeal has also grown the game in new markets, greatly benefiting MLB.
Can Ohtani Be a Two-Way Player Long Term?
Another injury has forced an examination of whether they are physically overextending players in modern baseball, especially those that serve multiple facets of a team’s set-up. One solution is to impose more rules (or at least guidelines) on the league’s clubs- implementing ways for players to manage their workloads better and modestly reduce restraints, allowing talents like Ohtani longer careers full of good health.
The debate as to whether Ohtani should remain a dual threat has followed suit. His defensive work is top-notch, singling him out as a unique talent that the Dodgers should do everything in their power to prevent from breaking as both an elite pitcher and hitting weapon. Some say the wear and tear on his body is too much, believing he should choose a lane so that he can elongate his career.
Renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews — who specializes in sports injuries and is chair of Ohtani’s situation, noted: “The use while hitting can be quite taxing on his body. And by the way, as fun and jaw-droppingly talented as that is to watch, there isn’t enough gas in this tank — on both sides of the ball. Were his injuries to persist, it may be viewed as prudent in the future to have him turn a full-time hitter.
Fan Reactions: Mixed Emotions
By now, the opposing emotions most common among Shohei Ohtani fans should be concern and hope. Twitter has been abuzz with well-wishers, hoping for his quick recovery. To many, Ohtani is more than a baseball player; he’s the spirit of excellence and takes the sport beyond its limits.
But there are also concerns from those who believe Ohtani might have to take a step back and put health over two-way stardom. But fans also recognize that Bumgarner occupying a place on both the mound and in the batting order at every fifth game increases potential exposure to fateful injury, which would mean no more Games of his own.
Conclusion
A New Shoulder Injury for Shohei Ohtani is perhaps a fork in the road of his career. More tests will reveal the fate of his World Series and, if worse comes to worst, 2024. However, the repeated injuries call into question how both Ohtani and the Dodgers will approach managing his career beyond recovery.
If nothing else, Ohtani’s tale is one of breathtaking ability and fortitude. Those fans — from all corners of the globe, given an entire generation, grew up wanting to be like Matsui before Japanese superstar pitchers masquerading as batters swept through Major League Baseball along with Cuba Libre slugging first baseman and pesky hitters well-honoring groundballs into runs-haven’t thrown in the blotter for a while now- hoping against hope that he can clear this hurdle again and keep on inspiring any kid not yet even born. But for the time being, everyone is glued to those Dodger’s medical reports and praying.
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