This season, Shohei Ohtani has pitched three games so far. And his recent game against the Royals showed that his arm is back. He threw two strong innings, gave up no runs on 27 pitches, and threw a fastball that broke his own record at 101.7 mph. His arm yelled dominance, prompting other teams to adjust their strategies.

But his bat raised eyebrows, he went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts. The Dodgers couldn’t capitalize as the Royals scored four runs in the fifth, including a three-run homer from Vinnie Pasquantino. Ben Casparius, who replaced Ohtani, gave up six runs in four innings, leading to the Royals’ 9-5 win.

Despite it all, right now, the primary focus is on how beautiful Ohtani was on the mound this Saturday. Post-game, he was asked if he ever thought of throwing 101.7 mph after the injury. A composed Shohei Ohtani responded, “It’s something I don’t think I would have been able to do in a live BP setting. So it’s nice to be able to hit this and see how my body reacts.” And that’s probably why he made his comeback a little earlier than expected.

Manager Dave Roberts originally planned for Shotime’s return not before the All-Star break, according to a May 25 report by NBC Los Angeles. But the timeline accelerated. On June 15, right after achieving his 250 career homer feat, he declared to Dodger Blue that his “stuff was game-ready.” And the very next day, his long-awaited return was announced against the Padres.

Even though that debut after 21 months was a little slow (28 pitches, 16 for strikes), it showed how ready his arm was and how much the team needed his two-way skills.

Fast-forward to today, against the Royals, he recorded another history. This time, on the mound. And when the question came up on how he balances his two-way stardom, he replied, “In terms of days, when I do pitching and hit, I do think of it, compartmentalize it, and that’s how I approach.”  

While the Dodgers want Ohtani to stay in charge while he gets better at pitching, Roberts exclaimed, “You can’t take the competitor out of the player.” Roberts also reflected that Ohtani was handling it effectively, keeping control of both his stuff and his focus, even when he was hitting triple digits.

However, that ongoing quest of dual excellence is calculated. The Dodgers know how to use it, and their strategy for Shohei Ohtani’s All-Star game is crystal clear.

Caution over flash! Dodgers say no to Shohei Ohtani on the mound in Atlanta

Shohei Ohtani won’t pitch at the All-Star Game in Atlanta. However, he got the most votes in the National League and was supposed to be the DH. Dave Roberts was very clear on his stance: “No.” He seemed to have a long-term strategy for his unusual two-way talent.

Roberts, who will be in charge of the NL team, stressed that they are not in a hurry. The Dodgers don’t want to risk Ohtani’s pitching momentum in an exhibition game. The skipper mentioned, “We’re always gonna be cautious”, stressing that there is no set standard—no one knows what “fully built-up” looks like for Ohtani this season.

In this context, the move makes sense. The team has planned to steadily stretch him out in real games, not just practice sessions. They have put more emphasis on being ready for the playoffs than on showing him off in the middle of the season.

Shohei Ohtani can still be an All-Star moment maker by merely hitting from the bench. This won’t hurt his elbow’s recovery. It’s a good reminder that behind the flash of 102 mph (almost) fastballs lies a systematic, flawless plan for a full, exceptional career, not just a highlight reel.