Everyone wants Shohei Ohtani on the mound, but whether it is the best idea to do so is the real question. He is already carrying the Dodgers’ offense like a one-man fireworks show. Risking his health on the mound right now might turn out to be a crisis disguised as a comeback, and the Dodgers certainly don’t need that. Alex Rodriguez and Johnny Damon think it might disrupt Ohtani’s whole game.
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Rodriguez didn’t mince words—he practically waved a red flag from the commentary booth a few days ago. He called Ohtani a power pitcher, not a finesse guy, and that’s where the danger lies. Two Tommy John surgeries and a shoulder injury aren’t just footnotes. A-Rod warned, “If Ohtani gets hurt and makes it 15 pitchers on the IL, the season’s over”—a truth with teeth.
Now in a show on ESPN, Johnny Damon, while talking to Pat McAfee and others, echoed the same thoughts. He said, “I think he could be very successful, but stepping back to the mound after taking a year and a half off, it’s tough… Shohei, he’s the greatest hitter going right now with Aaron Judge, and why take that away from him?”
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Pitching again could drain Ohtani’s swing faster than a slump in July. Imagine giving up three runs, then trying to go yard—on the same night. Hitting like an MVP takes more than talent; it takes rhythm, rest, and zero distractions. The Dodgers should perhaps let the bat roar, and save the bullets in his arm for when there’s no other choice.
So here’s the hook—just because Shohei can do it all doesn’t mean he should do it all. The Dodgers didn’t sign a Swiss Army knife; they signed a sledgehammer. Let him mash baseballs, not medical charts. Until the rotation is in ruins and the bullpen’s held together with chewing gum, the Dodgers are better off keeping Ohtani off the mound.
But hey, do they have alternatives?
The Dodgers have made a move amid uncertainty around Ohtani’s pitching comeback
Not every Hollywood script has a flawless hero, and the Dodgers are learning that the hard way. Shohei Ohtani might still be limited to box office swings, but with their bullpen unraveling faster than a third act twist, Los Angeles isn’t waiting around.
The Dodgers, battered and bandaged, have made a move—because even if Ohtani returns to the mound soon, damage control can’t wait for a comeback montage.
Enter Jose Urena, baseball’s well-traveled handyman, armed with scars and a live arm. He’s not flashy, but he’s functional—and right now, that’s gold. Urena brings innings, experience, and just enough grit to patch up the leaks. For the Dodgers, it’s less about brilliance and more about survival.
If Urena stabilizes the rotation, he could be this year’s unsung postseason ticket. The Dodgers don’t need him to dominate—just to deliver. And sometimes, that’s the difference between October glory and a September fade.
In Hollywood, even the stand-ins get screen time—and Urena might just steal a scene or two. The Dodgers aren’t chasing perfection; they’re buying time, arms, and hope. If Ohtani’s arm makes its comeback, great. If not, Urena’s job is simple: keep the postseason from becoming a deleted scene. Because in LA, surviving the regular season is just the first audition.
Written by
Edited by
Abhishek Rajan