Shohei Ohtani to Pitch Again in 2025—And the Entire League Should Be Worried

Shohei Ohtani, the once-in-a-generation two-way phenom, is already sending shockwaves through Major League Baseball without throwing a single pitch in 2024. After undergoing his second major elbow procedure last year, Ohtani has been limited to designated hitter duties for the Los Angeles Dodgers this season. But if all goes according to plan, the baseball world will soon witness the full return of one of the sport’s most dominant forces—on both sides of the ball.

According to the Dodgers and Ohtani’s personal team, the superstar is on track to return to pitching in 2025, and whether it’s for a second-half surge or a playoff run, his presence on the mound could tilt the entire competitive landscape of the league.

And frankly, the rest of MLB should be very, very nervous.

A Dangerous Weapon Reloading

In 2021 and 2022, Shohei Ohtani didn’t just redefine what was possible—he reshaped the modern game. A legitimate ace with a fastball touching triple digits and a devastating splitter, Ohtani also launched 40+ home runs while maintaining an OPS that rivaled the league’s best hitters.

Even in 2023, while dealing with arm issues, he posted a 3.14 ERA with 167 strikeouts in 132 innings, while simultaneously hitting .304 with 44 home runs and a league-leading 1.066 OPS before an elbow injury ended his season prematurely. That dual-threat dominance earned him his second AL MVP award—and firmly established him as one of the most unique athletes in professional sports history.

While Tommy John-type procedures usually require a lengthy recovery timeline, Ohtani is no stranger to defying expectations. His throwing program is reportedly progressing on schedule, with light bullpen work expected in late 2024 and a full ramp-up in early 2025. The Dodgers, of course, are managing his return cautiously, but the message is clear: Ohtani will pitch again—and soon.

A Nightmare for Opposing Teams

The idea of Shohei Ohtani stepping back onto the mound in Dodger Blue should strike fear into the hearts of rival GMs and managers. The Dodgers are already stacked with one of the deepest and most potent rosters in all of baseball, boasting stars like Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and a rotation filled with young talent and veteran arms.

Add Ohtani the pitcher to the mix? That’s not just adding a fifth starter. That’s inserting an ace-level, Cy Young-caliber arm into a team that may already be cruising toward the postseason.

Whether he returns midseason or is deployed strategically for the playoffs, Ohtani’s presence would give the Dodgers a weapon few teams could match. He could start Game 1 of a playoff series, come in for high-leverage relief, or simply serve as insurance for a rotation that might need a spark late in the year.

In other words: he’s the ultimate trump card.

A Strategic Advantage Unlike Any Other

What makes Ohtani so disruptive isn’t just his skill, but how he changes roster construction. Most teams have to burn a roster spot on a DH or carry an extra pitcher to bridge innings. With Ohtani, the Dodgers essentially gain an extra All-Star without sacrificing flexibility. He’s a power-hitting slugger who also shortens series with his arm. That efficiency in roster building is invaluable in tight postseason series or wild card battles.

Even teams loaded with talent—like the Braves, Phillies, or Astros—don’t have a counter for that. There’s no answer to a player who can beat you with both his bat and his fastball.

The Mental Edge

Opponents aren’t just dealing with Ohtani’s numbers—they’re facing his aura. There’s a psychological component to playing against him. Pitchers know he can take them deep at any moment. Batters know he can make them look foolish with an 89-mph splitter followed by a 100-mph fastball up in the zone.

And now, after nearly a full year away from the mound, Ohtani is rehabbing not just to return—but to dominate. That hunger, combined with his unmatched physical ability, is a terrifying combination for the rest of the league.

Eyes on 2025

The Dodgers, already heavy favorites in the National League, could become borderline unfair if Ohtani returns to form as a pitcher. A healthy Ohtani means their already powerful lineup becomes almost secondary to the fact that they’d boast a top-5 MLB pitcher on top of it all.

2024 may be the “rest and reset” year for Ohtani’s arm, but it’s also the calm before the storm.

Because in 2025, Shohei Ohtani is coming back with a vengeance.

And for the rest of baseball? That’s a nightmare they’ll have to face head-on.