Shohei Ohtani has always thrived on rewriting baseball’s rulebook. A dominant force both on the mound and at the plate. But after undergoing his second Tommy John surgery, even Ohtani is in doubt of his pitching future. The dream of being a true two-way star remains alive, but the reality of his recovery has forced a stark admission: This could be his last shot as a pitcher.

The Los Angeles Dodgers, who signed him to a record-breaking $700 million deal, knew that 2024 would be solely about his bat. But 2025? That was supposed to be the year Ohtani returned to the mound. Now, the plan isn’t so clear.

His throwing program has been slowed down, and his long-awaited return remains uncertain. Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts is not setting a specific timeline for his return as well. Meanwhile, Ohtani is not only focused on returning to pitching but also contemplating the longevity of his career in the sport.

“I think this is my last chance as a pitcher… I’m preparing with that in mind,” Ohtani said in a recent interview.

He understands the risks of those high-velocity pitches that reflect his dominance but also put immense strain on his elbow. “If you throw breaking balls at high speeds, it’s hard to last a full season as a starter. And expecting to pitch for 10 or 15 years without surgery? I just don’t think that’s possible in this environment.” It’s an emotional statement from someone who, at his times, could dominate batters with a 100 mph fastball and an effective splitter pitch.

Shohei Ohtani remains determined not to adopt a traditional strategy in his approach to pitching post-surgery. Like some do by adjusting their speed or changing their pitching styles. Ohtani? He’s not interested in holding back. “I don’t think I’ll take a ‘long and thin’ approach,” he explained. “I want to make it as ‘thick’ as possible. If that means I can’t pitch for 10 or 15 years, then so be it.” An all-or-nothing mentality, a statement of his competitive fire.

Now, the Dodgers face a delicate situation as they are aware of having one of the best hitters in baseball. But they also signed him with hopes of regaining his top pitching form. How will this affect their handling of his contract and rotation strategy remains uncertain for now.

All we know for sure is that Ohtani is not giving up easily. If this does turn out to be his last opportunity, as a pitcher he intends to give it everything he’s got.

A shift in strategy? Could Shohei Ohtani become a reliever?

What if Shohei Ohtani’s path back to the mound isn’t as a starter but as a lights-out reliever? It sounds almost unthinkable—Ohtani, the Cy Young-caliber ace, reduced to bullpen duty. However, think about how tough it will be on his elbow, especially after the recent surgical repair, to start pitching from scratch. So, the relieving concept doesn’t seem outlandish.

Being a reliever, he wouldn’t have to throw 100 pitches every time he plays or endure the demands of a season’s schedule. Instead, he could make appearances throwing at 100 mph with minimal strain and then seamlessly return to play again the following day. It might not be the full two-way dominance fans envisioned, but it could be the best way to keep both his bat and arm in play.

Los Angeles put in an investment of half a million dollars anticipating an elite-level player rather than just a reliever for high-pressure situations. Quite unexpected! But this shift in roles is not entirely unknown in baseball history.

Remember John Smoltz? He made a transition to relief after facing injury setbacks, like Tommy John surgeries as an elite closer. Also, Nathan Eovaldi, a hard-hitting right-handed pitcher, underwent two Tommy John surgeries and had to manage himself to excel in both starting and relieving roles.

Could Ohtani possibly create his blend of pitching roles too?

Well, if anyone can defy expectations and reinvent himself, it’s Shohei Ohtani. But if this truly is his “last chance” on the mound, how will he choose to write the final chapter of his pitching career? Can you speculate?