Dodgers Shohei Ohtani two-way status under threat like never before

Shohei Ohtani has returned to the place in which he’s spent much of his career.Backed into a corner.In a fight to protect his identity as a two-way playerOnly this time, the instrument Ohtani used to overcome his previous obstacles has become his greatest impediment.His body is breaking down.Never before has his status as a two-way player been threatened to this degree, and Ohtani has to know that.This could be the beginning of the end.A season in which he was expected to scale unprecedented heights as a pitcher has instead turned into a season of survival, Ohtani now more than a month removed from his most recent start.As expected, Ohtani is refusing to give him, reiterating to reporters on Wednesday that he intended to return to the mound this season.

He made clear that the Dodgers’ trade for Tarik Skubal didn’t affect his view of his situation.California's top news, sports and entertainment delivered to your inbox every day.

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Never miss a story “It’s not up to me to make that calculation,” Ohtani said in Japanese.“That’s the job of the front office, the manager.”If Ohtani somehow manages to pitch a game in the postseason, he very well could do so as an opener who takes down a couple of innings rather than as a regular starter.With Skubal joining a rotation led by Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow working their way back from their respective injuries, the Dodgers will settle for whatever Ohtani can give them.“Any innings we get from him are bonuses,” manager Dave Roberts said.This can’t be what Ohtani had in mind for a revenge tour.

His final game pitching last year was in Game 7 of the World Series and he nearly cost the Dodgers the championship, as he gave up three runs in only 2 ⅓ innings.If Ohtani doesn’t deliver a signature pitching performance this year, whe...