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The Los Angeles Dodgers believe they are finally about to see the complete version of Shohei Ohtani again, and pitching coach Mark Prior sounds genuinely excited about what that means for the 2026 season.
Speaking on Dodgers Territory, Prior described last year as a necessary but incomplete step in Ohtani’s return to two-way dominance. After undergoing Tommy John surgery and later suffering a torn labrum in his non-throwing shoulder, Ohtani spent all of 2024 rehabbing and did not pitch. His return to the mound in 2025 came with guardrails, as the Dodgers prioritized health over spectacle.
“This year, yeah, the full version,” Prior said. “Last year was obviously a very unique year. He was coming off Tommy John, and then he had the shoulder injury on the non-throwing arm. This year, a full version.”
Dodgers Finally Expect the Complete Two-Way Ohtani
For the Dodgers, the distinction between “partial” and “full” Ohtani matters. The last time baseball saw a true, uninterrupted version of him was 2023, when he was still with the Angels. That season, Ohtani hit 44 home runs with a 1.066 OPS while also posting a 3.14 ERA across 23 starts before tearing the UCL in August. That dual dominance is what made him a unicorn—and what Los Angeles has spent two seasons carefully rebuilding.
Ohtani returned to the mound on June 16, 2025, ending a 22-month absence from pitching in the majors. Rather than rushing him, the Dodgers essentially completed his rehab at the big-league level. He progressed from one-inning appearances to a standard starter’s workload, showing improved command and velocity as the season went on.
By October, Ohtani was no longer treated like a rehab project. He made four postseason starts, including Game 7 of the World Series, and delivered one of the most jaw-dropping performances in recent playoff history during Game 4 of the NLCS. Against the Brewers, Ohtani threw six scoreless innings with 10 strikeouts while also launching three home runs, effectively ending the series by himself.
Mark Prior Emphasizes Flexibility and Trust
During the 2025 regular season, Ohtani made 14 starts and posted a 2.87 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, and 62 strikeouts in 47 innings. Those numbers would represent a strong season for most pitchers. Combined with his offensive output—a .282 batting average, 55 home runs, and 102 RBIs—they helped earn him the 2025 National League MVP, the fourth MVP award of his career.
Prior also highlighted Ohtani’s unique flexibility, which continues to separate him from traditional starters.
“The fun part about Sho is, as long as he knows when he’s pitching, he’ll pitch whenever,” Prior said. “If it’s six days’ rest, if it’s eight days’ rest, if it’s three days’ rest — he’s willing to do what he needs to do to help this club win ballgames.”
That adaptability gives the Dodgers valuable roster flexibility as they manage a rotation designed for October. Ohtani will participate in the World Baseball Classic with Team Japan this spring but will only hit, not pitch. Prior said Ohtani is currently throwing bullpen sessions, with the hope that he will face live hitters before leaving for the tournament.
For a Dodgers team chasing history and aiming to become baseball’s first three-peat champion since the Yankees from 1998 to 2000, the timing could not be better. A fully healthy, fully unleashed Ohtani is no longer theoretical. According to Prior, it is finally here—and it could redefine what this Dodgers team looks like at its peak.
Alvin Garcia Born in Puerto Rico, Alvin Garcia is a sports writer for Heavy.com who focuses on MLB. His work has appeared on FanSided, LWOS, NewsBreak, Athlon Sports, and Yardbarker, covering mostly baseball. More about Alvin Garcia
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