Dodgers' Friedman: surgery not an option for Ohtani, who is expected to pitch next year
In short
Dodgers baseball operations head Andrew Friedman said on the 21st in Los Angeles that surgery for Shohei Ohtani is not an option and that he expects Ohtani to pitch next year. Kyodo reported that Ohtani is likely to continue as a two-way player in his tenth major league season.
Read the full story 2 min read
Dodgers baseball operations head Andrew Friedman said on the 21st, at a season-review press conference in Los Angeles, that surgery for Shohei Ohtani is not an option. According to Kyodo's report, carried by Nishi-Nippon Shimbun and Nikkei, he said: "Surgery is not among the options. I am sure he will pitch next year." Kyodo said this indicates Ohtani is likely to continue as a two-way player in his tenth major league season. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Kyodo reported that Ohtani began the season as a two-way player but has not pitched since 3 July and went on the injured list in September. It described him as having suffered inflammation of the left knee and right upper arm. Yomiuri Shimbun gave a somewhat different account: it said Ohtani reported discomfort in the left knee in June and the right upper arm in July, gave up two-way play, focused on hitting in the second half, and continued to struggle at the plate. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Friedman said whether to set limits on Ohtani's use next season will be considered from now on. Kyodo quoted him as saying: "The challenge is how to get through a long season and reach October in the best condition. I am confident we can find a better way." Yomiuri quoted him as saying "I expect him to pitch" and that the challenge is bringing Ohtani to the best condition in October, when the postseason is played. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Yomiuri also recalled that after the Dodgers lost the league championship series, Ohtani said he did not know how things would go with his body, treatment included. [ 3 ]
Nikkei's version of the Kyodo report added other remarks. Asked about Hanshin's Teruaki Sato (佐藤輝明), who became the ninth Triple Crown winner in Japanese professional baseball and aims to move to the major leagues, Friedman said it is hard to talk about specific players. He added that several very talented players may come to the majors and that the club will keep discussing. Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki worked as part of the starting rotation, and General Manager Gomes said Sasaki was excellent in the second half and that there were many gains. [ 2 ]
Why it matters
The remarks, reported by three business outlets, indicate the club's plan for Ohtani's role after a season in which he struggled with injuries. Whether his use will be limited next year was not decided, according to Friedman.
Key facts
- Dodgers executive Andrew Friedman spoke at a season-review press conference in Los Angeles on the 21st. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Friedman said surgery for Ohtani is not an option. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Friedman said he is sure Ohtani will pitch next year, according to Kyodo's report carried by Nishi-Nippon and Nikkei. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Ohtani has not pitched since 3 July and went on the injured list in September, Kyodo reported. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Friedman said whether to set limits on Ohtani's use next season will be considered later. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Next season will be Ohtani's tenth in the major leagues. [ 1 , 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Whether Ohtani's use will be limited next season. Friedman said this will be considered later, according to Kyodo's report in Nishi-Nippon and Nikkei.
- How Ohtani's body will fare, including any treatment. Yomiuri quoted Ohtani, after the league championship series loss, as saying he does not know how things will go with his body, treatment included.
- How Ohtani's injuries are described. Kyodo's report cites inflammation of the left knee and right upper arm, while Yomiuri says Ohtani reported discomfort in the left knee in June and the right upper arm in July.