Insider casts doubt on Shohei Ohtani's two-way future, proposes drastic position switch

With each new injury that pops up on the Los Angeles Dodgers' pitching staff, fans are growing even more impatient for Shohei Ohtani's long-awaited return to the mound.

The Dodgers inked the two-way superstar to a 10-year deal prior to the 2024 season, but he has yet to pitch for the club as he continues to recover from Tommy John surgery. Ohtani has continued his throwing progression, but is still not expected to pitch for another few months. Needless to say, the Dodgers don't want to rush his return to pitching and risk further injuring their $700 million investment.

Still, while many fans are anxiously awaiting Ohtani's Dodgers pitching debut, speculation has begun to arise about his long-term future as a two-way player. In a recent conversation with Dodgers Nation's Doug McKain, MLB insider Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY made it sound like it was a very real possibility that Ohtani would only pitch for a couple of seasons with the Dodgers.

“I’d be more curious to see what happens after next year," Nightengale told McKain. "I think he’ll be in the rotation again in 2026, then we’ll see what happens. I think his sheer love is just as a hitter. So it’ll be fascinating in a couple years if he gives up pitching, what do you do? Do they put him in the outfield? Obviously, a great athlete, probably would be a waste as a full-time DH since his athleticism is so good.”

In addition to the outfield, Nightengale further theorized that Ohtani could play first base whenever Freddie Freeman retires.

MLB insider believes Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani's days as a two-way player could be numbered

Even without pitching in 2024, Ohtani still made history in his first season with the Dodgers. As a designated hitter only, he became the first and only player in MLB history to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a single season en route to winning a World Series title and his third unanimous MVP award.

Given how lethal Ohtani is at the plate, Nightengale suspects that's where his passion truly lies. But, to his point, Ohtani is simply too good of an athlete to be confined to the batter's box. Nightengale predicts that the "fun and novelty" of Ohtani's two-way capabilities will eventually wear off; and when they do, don't be surprised if you see him elsewhere on the diamond.

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