Los Angeles Dodgers president Andrew Friedman has given Shohei Ohtani a peculiar challenge after observing the star’s supreme self-belief ahead of the 2025 season.
Shohei Ohtani has already achieved legendary status in MLB, but Los Angeles Dodgers president Andrew Friedman wants him to push himself even further.
Fresh off leading the Dodgers to a World Series title in 2024 and winning the National League MVP award, Ohtani is set for another milestone year as he prepares to return to the mound in 2025. While the Dodgers are in no rush to accelerate Ohtani’s pitching comeback, team president Friedman has presented him with an unconventional challenge.
Speaking on The Windup podcast, Friedman was asked what he expects next from Ohtani. The Dodgers president replied: “I’m waiting for him to pitch to himself. I want him to face himself in the Trajekt machine.”
The remark was met with enthusiasm from podcast hosts Doug Glanville and Jayson Stark, who echoed the widespread excitement about Ohtani’s continued evolution as a player. Friedman further elaborated on Ohtani’s remarkable ability to push past perceived limits.
Friedman added: “He keeps doing these things. I understand that your brain can’t comprehend it. He’s like: ‘My brain can comprehend it because I can see it. I’m confident I could do it.’”
Ohtani has always been motivated to keep improving, starting from the first days of Spring Training. The Japanese star remains committed to refining his game. As he prepares for his highly anticipated return to the mound, Ohtani has been experimenting with a different pitching approach. Speaking to reporters at Spring Training, he revealed a desire to challenge himself in new ways.
Pitcher Shohei Ohtani is still recovering from a shoulder injury after he underwent surgery in November ( Image: Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
In conversation with interviewers during spring training the pitcher said: “Traditionally, I’ve been throwing from the stretch a lot. But as part of being a baseball player, I do want to explore different options, different avenues to see if I could grow as a player. I do that on the pitching side as well as as a hitter.”
While Ohtani’s return to pitching is a major storyline heading into the season, the Dodgers are prioritizing his long-term health. Having undergone a second shoulder surgery in November, Ohtani’s recovery will be carefully managed to ensure he can sustain his two-way dominance for years to come.
The Dodgers’ roster is already one of the strongest in baseball, and they don’t necessarily need Ohtani to exceed his previous performances in order to contend. As the 2025 season approaches, all eyes will be on Ohtani to see how he responds to the latest challenge – both from himself and from his team president.
