Experts urge strict workload limits for Ohtani after Dodgers' three-peat dream shatters

The Los Angeles Dodgers’ hope of a third consecutive World Series title was finally shattered in the highly anticipated Major League Baseball season, and the team’s superstar Shohei Ohtani, who played through injury, sparked a profound reflection and vigorous debate within American sports circles. After the postseason concluded, the Los Angeles Times published an in‑depth commentary that directly criticized Ohtani’s decision to play while injured and called on the club’s leadership to confront and reassess the workload of two‑way players. The article urged that the Dodgers seriously consider reducing Ohtani’s innings and overall workload in future seasons to protect the invaluable asset that he is.

The discussion over workload management is not baseless. Since joining the Dodgers, Ohtani has been the absolute core of the team’s offensive firepower and commercial value. However, the physical limits of a baseball athlete inevitably impose a ceiling, especially for a player who serves as both a top‑tier starting pitcher and a powerful hitter. The unique “two‑way” style of play drains the body far more than a conventional single‑position player. When the season reaches the most intense, high‑tension postseason phase, any hint of fatigue or lingering injury can be magnified. Ohtani’s hard‑fought, injury‑ridden performance in this year’s playoffs, while demonstrating remarkable professionalism and a desire for victory, was clearly hampered by his physical condition; his statistics and influence fell short of the dominating regular‑season output, diminishing the Dodgers’ competitive strength and prompting external scrutiny of the team’s player‑health decision‑making.

The Los Angeles Times’ critique hit the mark, stating that if the Dodgers wish to build a true dynasty and maintain long‑term competitiveness in the league, they must abandon the past reliance on Ohtani’s dual role. Baseball is a lengthy, physically demanding team sport, and even a prodigious talent like Ohtani cannot sustain the entire team’s postseason ambitions solely through willpower while injured. The media called on the Dodgers’ management and medical staff to re‑evaluate Ohtani’s future playing plan, including stricter control of his innings during the regular season, increased rest periods, and, when necessary, reducing his innings or skipping some starting appearances to ensure he arrives in October—when the stakes are highest—in 100 percent health.

From the perspective of the team’s long‑term development and the player’s career longevity, the Dodgers’ postseason loss and Ohtani’s injury‑ridden performance provide a painful but essential opportunity for review. Modern sports science offers tremendous benefits for athlete recovery and training, yet the body’s natural healing processes remain governed by biology. Ohtani has undergone major arm surgeries in recent years, and each time he takes the mound, he carries significant arm stress and injury risk. While the Dodgers invested heavily to sign Ohtani, their core mission is not only to win each present game but also to protect this once‑in‑a‑century two‑way prodigy. If the organization cannot find a perfect balance between “team performance” and “player health,” similar regrets and diminished power will likely recur in future playoffs.

This nationwide debate is not merely a Dodgers issue; it is a systemic challenge that the entire Major League Baseball must confront as the two‑way trend gains traction. With Ohtani setting a new benchmark for modern two‑way play, the importance of workload management has reached unprecedented heights. After the bitter conclusion of the three‑year championship dream, the Dodgers will inevitably conduct an internal review during the offseason and draft a new usage guide for Ohtani. Determining how to allow Ohtani to shine on both the mound and the plate while preserving his health for the full season will be the Dodgers’ most daunting and crucial task before the next campaign begins.

Source: Central News Agency