Shohei Ohtani remains steadfast in his commitment to excelling as both a pitcher and a hitter, embracing the demanding dual role as he approaches his 32nd birthday this season. Speaking in a recent interview with the Japanese sports magazine Number, Ohtani conveyed his determination to push his physical limits in pursuit of peak performance on the mound, even at the risk of injury.

Ohtani described this season as potentially his last genuine opportunity to pitch at a high level and expressed a refusal to hold back or conserve effort simply to prolong his career. “What’s most important to me is for it to be as thick as possible,” he said, underscoring his desire for intensity and quality over longevity. This perspective reflects his willingness to endure the physical toll that pitching demands, a stance evidenced by his decision to continue pitching despite ongoing issues such as knee swelling and finger blisters.

His resolve remains undeterred even in the context of major life changes; following the birth of his second child, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed Ohtani will start his next scheduled game Wednesday in Minnesota. Roberts highlighted Ohtani’s desire to pitch a full season reflective of his growing ambition on the mound. Thus far, Ohtani has pitched enough innings this year to be a candidate for the ERA title, a milestone he has only surpassed once before.

Ohtani shared insights into his dual athletic identity, noting that while he received expert coaching as a hitter during his youth, his development as a pitcher was largely self-taught. He believes this disparity adds complexity to his feelings toward pitching, where he senses a degree of clumsiness paired with a strong personal attachment. He also acknowledged that his pitching has lagged behind his hitting at times, partly due to recovery from two major elbow surgeries that sidelined him during the Dodgers’ 2024 season.

The Los Angeles ace’s commitment to pitching is matched by his enthusiasm for the challenge it presents. He described pitching as a unique and high-stakes position, carrying significant responsibility for shaping the outcome of a game. “A pitcher is the only one who is standing on higher ground,” Ohtani said. “How the game unfolds is up to you, and that’s what makes it scary to be a pitcher and what makes it fun.”

Ohtani also reflected on Major League Baseball’s accommodation of his two-way role, praising the league’s introduction of the “two-way player” designation and the rule allowing him to serve as a designated hitter while pitching. He views these changes as recognition of the unprecedented nature of his career and a validation of his approach.

While aware of the risks—including two serious elbow injuries and a difficult outing in last year’s World Series—Ohtani remains undeterred in pushing boundaries. His motivation is clear: he refuses to live with regrets or unanswered questions about what might have been. Instead, he embraces the challenge of being a unique talent in the sport, willing to face the consequences in pursuit of greatness.