“Shohei Ohtani’s body was rejecting being a 2-way player” – Ex-Mets GM warns Dodgers against rushing star’s rehab for 2025 MLB opening day in Japan

Shohei Ohtani reacts after striking out during the fifth inning – Source: Imagn

The Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani suffered a shoulder injury in the World Series, and now he’s getting ready to get arthroscopic surgery to recover.

Former New York Mets general manager Steve Phillips has talked about Shohei Ohtani’s condition, saying that his body hasn’t been in sync with his two-way style of play.

In an interview with the MLB Network, Phillips said that Ohtani’s chances of pitching for the Dodgers next season seem bleak, as his body hasn’t been supporting it.

“When you make the playoffs, you play an additional month, right? So it cuts into the time of recovery and rest in the body recovery. You go back to 2022 and sorry 2023 for Ohtani. Remember, to me, his body was rejecting being a two-way player after they didn’t trade them at the Angels,” Phillips said.

“He went to Detroit through that shutout in the second game of the doubleheader hit to him around started cramping up. Then he started cramping up the rest of the year. Then his elbow gave out on him. And so he’s had to recover with his throwing program. He can’t throw right now because the surgery on the left shoulder,” he added.

Renowned sports physician Dr. David J. Chao has given his two cents on the same, in a video posted by Sports Injury CentralX.

“We talked about the likelihood of surgery after the season, he underwent shoulder labrum repair surgery. The Dodgers say he will be ready for spring training, but we don’t believe it,” said Dr. David J. Chao in a video on social media.