In September 2023, Shohei Ohtani underwent surgery on his right elbow.

The procedure was successful, and in a statement released by his agent, Nez Balelo, the following explanation was given:

“The final decision and surgical approach were determined with his future in mind. Shohei hopes to continue as a two-way player for many years to come.”

Regarding the cause of the ligament damage that led to the surgery, some have suggested that it was due to early preparation for the World Baseball Classic, while others believe that the unprecedented challenge of being a two-way player placed a significant strain on his body.

For that reason, there were also voices suggesting that he should give up being a two-way player and focus solely on hitting, where his talent is exceptional.

However, as Balelo’s statement indicates, Ohtani himself has consistently held the same mindset since his time with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters:

“Pitching, hitting, running—and as a result, I want to reach the playoffs. That’s what I want the most.”

Ohtani surely understands better than anyone the difficulty of being a two-way player and the physical toll it takes.

Even so, he wants to continue pitching, hitting, and running.

And above all, he wants to win—

that pure, almost childlike desire to be a champion is what drives him forward.

That desire was finally realized in the 2024 season.

Although he was unable to pitch, Ohtani achieved the historic “50–50” milestone and led his team to a World Series championship.

Source

This quote comes from a Japanese book published in Japan and is not currently available in English.

Shohei Ohtani Feature, Number 1048, p.16