Shohei Ohtani will avoid pitching in Tokyo Dome opener……Why Dodgers are cautious

Shohei Ohtani (30) ended 2012 in the best way possible, winning the MVP award for the second year in a row.

This is the third time Ohtani has won the award after winning it in 2009 and 2011. This is tied for second all-time with his close friend Mike Trout (33), and he is the second person to win the award in both leagues, following Frank Robinson. Otani is also the first designated hitter in history to win the award, and since the MVP selection is based on overall performance, which includes not only hitting but also defense and baserunning, a DH who concentrates on hitting is at a disadvantage. However, Otani’s performance was so great that he received a full vote.

A move to a new city, a marriage, the betrayal of a close ally, and a superhuman performance that made us forget all about it all, and the longed-for world championship. After a turbulent year, Ohtani will take a short rest during the off-season and begin spring training in February.

The Dodgers and Cubs will play their opening series at Tokyo Dome next season. The biggest concern for fans will undoubtedly be whether or not Ohtani will be the starting pitcher. Due to right elbow surgery this season, Ohtani has been concentrating on being a hitter for the entire season, but thanks to his rehabilitation, he will return to a dual role next season. If he makes a triumphant return to Japan and even pitches the season opener, the islands will be excited.

The team’s “true feelings” about the starting pitcher

However, a Los Angeles sports reporter who has covered the Dodgers and Ohtani from the closest distance this season expressed a pessimistic view.

Ohtani has already had two operations on his elbow, but few players have had more than three Tommy John surgeries over the years. It is safe to assume that this is his last chance. The team absolutely cannot afford to push him too hard, so they should start with a wait-and-see approach early in the season and avoid starting him in the season opener.

The Dodgers were plagued by the collapse of their pitching staff this season, but Cy Young Award-winning pitcher Blake Snell (31) will join the team next season, and there are several strong starting pitchers, including Yoshinobu Yamamoto (26) and Jack Flaherty (29). There is no need to dare to start Otani after his injury. Perhaps he will make a relief appearance as a service to the Japanese fans.

Hitter or pitcher?　Baseball fans will be happy to see the return of the extravagant worries that have become synonymous with Otani.

FRIDAY has unearthed a treasured photo of Otani from his high school days, which could be said to be the origin of such “extravagant concerns. The magazine’s photographer took a number of rare shots of Otani that cannot be seen anywhere else in the paid version of “FRIDAY Digital. Along with an article from that time questioning the pros and cons of Ohtani’s two-faced style of pitching, the article also looks back on the career of the monster Shohei Ohtani.