How the pitch clock is reshaping Shohei Ohtani’s two-way workload

A season on hold

The Dodgers paused Ohtani’s pitching after left knee inflammation and right biceps tightness emerged, even though he recorded a 1.79 ERA and an 8-2 record over 85.2 innings this season following his return to the mound in June 2025. He hasn’t pitched since July 3. His left knee acts as his landing leg and absorbs the force of his delivery, which makes the injury particularly problematic. The Dodgers will not allow him to throw off a mound until they feel confident in his physical condition. Manager Dave Roberts said the team intends to move step by step with no fixed deadline for a return. I conclude the Dodgers made the right decision to prioritize his health to preserve his offensive value. He is currently in the lineup as a designated hitter after missing four games. He went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts and a walk against the Cincinnati Reds on Monday. This follows a 2025 season where he hit 55 home runs and stole 20 bases, including 47 innings with a 2.87 ERA. He returned to the mound on June 16, 2025, against the San Diego Padres, batting leadoff and pitching in his first regular-season appearance in 663 days. His 2024 campaign saw him hit 54 home runs and steal 59 bases, earning his third career MVP award. The Dodgers, who won the 2024 and 2025 World Series, are chasing the franchise’s first-ever three-peat in 2026.

Efficiency over power

Ohtani changed his approach to protect his right elbow and reduce the risk of another breakdown. He relies less on the 100 mph fastball and uses more curveballs and splitters to disrupt hitter timing. He previously relied on a sweeper, but he now favors the splitter to keep hitters guessing. This strategy helps him record outs with fewer pitches and reduces his per-game workload. The pitch clock adds a new pressure because he must start his delivery before the countdown expires. He must manage his routine while the clock counts down from 30 seconds between batters. The clock provides 15 seconds between pitches when no one is on base and 20 seconds if a runner is present.

He manages his training loads in coordination with the medical staff to keep his performance steady. He needs to maintain his strength to handle the tax of throwing 75 pitches. Does the added pressure of the pitch clock increase the physical toll on his landing leg? Pitchers are limited to two disengagements per plate appearance to prevent stalling for time. If a pitcher exceeds this, the umpire calls a balk and the runner advances. The Dodgers rotation also includes Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, and Tarik Skubal. This depth allows the club to manage Ohtani’s rest effectively. He is in his 30s and faces a stricter conditioning challenge.

The hitting tradeoff

Since he restarted his throwing program on August 8, Ohtani’s hitting has dropped to .204 in 93 at-bats with a .704 OPS. He went 2-for-23 with 11 strikeouts in his last six games before sitting for four days. He entered the Monday game against the Cincinnati Reds with 30 home runs and 81 RBIs. You probably already know his hitting matters more than his pitching for this October run. The Dodgers want him healthy to chase a franchise-first three-peat. His season totals include 144 hits and 11 stolen bases. He is batting .275 with 30 home runs and 81 RBIs for the season. He has 81 walks and 152 strikeouts. This decline since the August 8 training restart is steep. Since the All-Star break, he has hit .246 with eight home runs and 22 RBIs. The Dodgers are 83-57 and looking toward the postseason. Tommy Edman took his place in the lineup and went 7 for 17 with one home run and four RBIs during Ohtani’s absence. His 2026 season also includes 89 runs, 26 doubles, and 4 triples.