Shohei Ohtani’s Silent Fear

When the Los Angeles Dodgers handed Shohei Ohtani a jaw-dropping $700 million contract, they weren’t just investing in a player—they were betting on a phenomenon. A unicorn. A once-in-a-century two-way superstar who could redefine baseball history.

But what if that bet doesn’t pay off?

As the 2025 MLB season looms, a shadow of doubt lingers over Dodger Stadium. Ohtani, still recovering from elbow surgery, remains restricted to designated hitter duties. And while the superstar outwardly projects confidence, sources close to the team suggest a different reality—one where Ohtani quietly grapples with the very real fear that his golden arm may never be the same again.

Is baseball’s brightest star secretly worried about his own comeback? And, more importantly, should Dodgers fans be?

The Calm Before the Storm—or the Mask of Uncertainty?

Ohtani insists he’s unfazed. In a recent media scrum, he brushed off concerns about his return to the mound.

“I actually did it in the past when I had my last injury, so I’m not too worried about it,” he said with a practiced nonchalance. “It’s just about confirming the actual look and feel as we go through different stages. That’s my main concern.”

But here’s the problem: That’s exactly what a player who is worried would say.

Behind the scenes, the Dodgers are taking no risks. Manager Dave Roberts has made it clear that Ohtani won’t be pitching in spring training. The official line? “We’re prioritizing the long game.” The unofficial reality? The Dodgers—like the rest of the baseball world—have no clue whether Ohtani’s arm can handle the grind of two-way play ever again.

And that uncertainty is starting to creep into the fanbase.

A Career Haunted by Injuries

To understand the stakes, look at Ohtani’s injury history:

2018 – Tommy John surgery, sidelining him from pitching until 2020.
2020 – Another arm injury, limiting him to just 1.2 innings on the mound.
2023 – A torn UCL, requiring a second major elbow surgery.

Ohtani’s ability to bounce back has always been remarkable. But even the most resilient players have limits. How many times can you push an arm that’s already been reconstructed twice?

In a cruel twist, Ohtani is too good for his own body. His ability to throw 100 mph fastballs and launch 450-foot homers is precisely why his body keeps breaking down. And yet, he refuses to give up the two-way dream.

“Injuries are not an unfamiliar subject… I have a better understanding of how to manage it,” Ohtani recently stated. But does managing an injury mean ignoring the reality of physical decline?

Dodgers’ Dilemma: Savior or $700M Gamble?

When L.A. stole Ohtani from the Angels, they knew they were getting a generational bat. His 2024 numbers (.287 average, 34 HRs) were stellar. But the plan was always for him to be more.

Now, the question is: Will he ever be?

The Dodgers’ stacked rotation—including Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Tyler Glasnow—gives them breathing room. But make no mistake: Ohtani was signed as a two-way megastar, not just another power hitter.

And that’s where the problem lies.

Fans aren’t paying for just another slugger. They want the mythical Shotime—the guy who strikes out 10 batters one night and blasts a walk-off home run the next. Without his pitching, is Ohtani just another great hitter? A glorified DH with a $700M price tag?

The Pressure is Mounting

The whispers are already starting. Can he handle a full workload? Will the Dodgers get the two-way phenom they paid for, or will his elbow betray him again?

Even among baseball insiders, opinions are split.

“Everyone wants to see him pitch again,” said ESPN’s Jeff Passan. “The aura of ‘Shotime’ hinges on that duality.”

And that’s the real problem.

If Ohtani’s pitching dream collapses, what happens to his legacy? Does he remain an all-time great, or does he become the most expensive what-if in baseball history?

The Harsh Reality: What If He Can’t Do Both?

Let’s be brutally honest: The MLB is ruthless. Sentiment doesn’t win championships. If Ohtani can’t pitch, his contract becomes an albatross—one that could haunt the Dodgers for years.

Consider these possibilities:

Scenario 1: The Miracle Comeback – Ohtani returns to the mound in late 2025, regains his dominant form, and reestablishes himself as baseball’s ultimate unicorn.
Scenario 2: The One-Way Superstar – Ohtani is forced to permanently abandon pitching, focusing solely on hitting. The Dodgers still get a generational bat, but not the two-way legend they paid for.
Scenario 3: The Slow Decline – Ohtani’s injuries continue to nag him, reducing his overall impact. He remains productive, but never reaches the same heights.

Which outcome is most likely? If history has taught us anything, it’s that betting against Ohtani’s resilience is risky. But betting against the human body’s limits? That’s a different story.

The Verdict: Ohtani’s Silent Battle

Shohei Ohtani may be the most talented player in modern baseball, but even he isn’t immune to reality. The mind wants to do what the body might no longer allow.

Deep down, does Ohtani fear his own limits? Probably. But he’ll never admit it.

And that’s what makes this story fascinating. The Dodgers, the fans, and the baseball world are all watching—waiting to see if Ohtani’s body will let him defy the odds one more time.

Will he return as the legend we all believe in? Or will we witness the slow unraveling of baseball’s greatest experiment?

One thing’s for sure: Shohei Ohtani is calculating every throw, every swing, and every lingering doubt in silence. And the whole world is waiting for an answer.