‘Far From Coming Back’ Dodgers Pitching Coach Makes Japan Hold Its Breath With Shocking Statement About Shohei Ohtani
A Nation Holds Its Breath
The baseball world — and especially the entirety of Japan — has been left reeling after a surprising statement by the Los Angeles Dodgers pitching coach regarding superstar Shohei Ohtani. In a post-game media scrum that was supposed to be routine, a chilling phrase stopped everyone cold:
“He’s far from coming back.”
The quote, in reference to Ohtani’s pitching recovery timeline, has sparked fear, confusion, and a media frenzy across both the U.S. and Japan.
The Statement That Shook Fans
While the Dodgers’ medical team had previously indicated optimism about Ohtani’s recovery from his latest elbow surgery, pitching coach Mark Prior’s blunt and unfiltered comments seem to paint a different picture. When asked if fans could expect Ohtani to start throwing off a mound soon, Prior responded:
“Not really. He’s far from coming back — at least in the way people think.”
The lack of clarity has only added fuel to speculation about whether Ohtani’s two-way dominance can ever return.
Shockwaves in Japan
Within hours of the statement going public, major Japanese news outlets such as NHK, Nikkan Sports, and Yomiuri Shimbun published breaking news headlines. Social media in Japan exploded with reactions ranging from heartbreak to disbelief.
Many fans posted messages like:
- “This can’t be true. We’ve waited so long for him to pitch again.”
- “Is this the end of the two-way legend?”
- “Tell us more — don’t leave us hanging!”
For a nation that proudly watches Ohtani as its modern-day baseball samurai, the implications are huge. His pitching is not just a skill — it’s a national symbol of excellence.
What’s Really Going On?
While Ohtani continues to shine offensively for the Dodgers — maintaining impressive home run numbers and on-base stats — his pitching recovery has remained behind closed doors. The team has largely stayed vague about timelines, only noting that “progress is being made.”
Prior’s statement now raises two major questions:
- Is there a setback in Ohtani’s recovery that hasn’t been revealed?
- Will he ever pitch again — or will he become a full-time hitter from now on?
Dodgers’ Front Office Scrambles for Control
In response to the viral reaction, a Dodgers spokesperson quickly issued a softer clarification, saying:
“Shohei is right on schedule. Coach Prior simply meant we don’t want to rush him back. There’s no setback.”
However, fans and journalists aren’t convinced. The mixed messages from coaching staff and PR teams have created a whirlwind of uncertainty.
What Ohtani Said (or Didn’t Say)
Ohtani himself has remained silent on the matter. Known for his calm and reserved demeanor, he has not publicly commented on Prior’s quote. That silence has only intensified speculation.
His last statement, made weeks ago, simply said:
“I trust the process. I’ll be back when it’s time.”
But now, fans are starting to wonder — how much longer will that be?
What It Means for the Dodgers
Losing Ohtani’s pitching presence was already a major blow when the team signed him to a record $700 million contract. While the Dodgers invested knowing 2024 would be a hitting-only year for him, the hope was that he would resume two-way duties by 2025.
Now, that timeline feels increasingly uncertain — and potentially unrealistic.
Conclusion: Hope, Doubt, and Silence
Whether it was a poorly phrased comment or an unintentional leak of internal concern, the pitching coach’s remark has sent ripples across continents. Japan is waiting, the Dodgers are deflecting, and fans everywhere are holding their breath.
One thing is clear: Shohei Ohtani’s comeback story just got a lot more complicated — and the whole world is watching.
