Dodgers Made Huge Mistake With Shohei Ohtani Back In August

The Los Angeles Dodgers may have made a critical error by attempting to reintegrate Shohei Ohtani back into pitching during the latter part of the season. Ohtani, a designated hitter, had been performing exceptionally well, starting 14 games and maintaining a 1.76 ERA. However, he experienced knee and biceps discomfort over the All-Star Break, leading to a brief period off the mound. Despite these issues, Ohtani remained a leading contender for the National League MVP title at the end of July.

Ohtani's performance took a dramatic turn in August, with his on-base percentage (OPS) dropping from a stellar .944 from the start of July to a disappointing .666 following his return to the pitching circle on August 8. The Dodgers eventually decided to place Ohtani on the injured list, acknowledging that his injuries continued to plague him.

Given his lack of involvement in the rotation, as they had bolstered it with Tarik Skubal, Yamamoto, Glasnow, and Snell, the decision to bring Ohtani back onto the mound might have been detrimental.

Ohtani himself did not attribute his end-of-season slump to his injuries, but it was evident that something was hindering him. His offensive struggles down the stretch were likely a direct consequence of his return to pitching. Had the Dodgers allowed him to rest and recuperate, they could have potentially retained a dominant Ohtani in the October playoffs. The decision to rush him back to pitching ultimately cost the team an elite hitter and could have led to their postseason berth.