David Ortiz, famously known as Big Papi, has never shied away from bold opinionsâand this week, the Hall of Fame slugger delivered one that could dramatically reshape the future of Shohei Ohtaniâs care with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Ortiz suggested that Ohtani consider transitioning into a full-time closer role once he returns to pitching for the Dodgers.
Speaking candidly in a recent interview, Ortiz said he sees a unique opportunity for Ohtani to maximize his rare talent while preserving his health.
The Dodgersâ $700 million phenom is expected to face live hitters soon in a critical step toward returning to the mound after the All-Star break. Since signing his historic deal, Ohtani has been a constant offensive force as a designated hitter, but his pitching return is highly anticipated by all of baseball.
Manager Dave Roberts praised Ohtaniâs cautious, strategic approach to rehab. The team has prioritized his long-term health over rushing him ahead of a World Series run, carefully monitoring Ohtani through bullpen sessions where he has reintroduced his full pitching arsenal.
While no official date for his return to live MLB games has been set, the Dodgers have stated itâs unlikely he will pitch before the All-Star break. Instead of a traditional minor league rehab stint, the team is controlling his progress internally with simulated games and carefully managed workloads.
Despite dominating as both a starter and hitter in 2023âposting 44 home runs and 167 strikeoutsâOhtani has now endured two UCL injuries in five years. A bullpen role could extend his pitching career and keep him as an everyday offensive threat.
While some analysts applaud Ortizâs vision, others warn against altering Ohtaniâs role too soon. His dominant dual-threat performance earned him back-to-back AL MVP awards, and the Dodgers are committed to protecting their investment by letting Ohtani return only when fully ready.
Ohtani has yet to publicly respond to Ortizâs idea, but itâs certain to spark conversation among front offices and fans. Whether he continues as a starter or embraces a late-inning bullpen role, one thing is clear: Ohtaniâs legacy is still being writtenâand this potential role transformation could change baseball history once again.
As Ohtani inches closer to pitching again, the baseball world waits eagerly. His return could skyrocket the possibilities of the modern two-way player and alter the landscape of the 2025 season.
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