Ohtani Cleared for Friday Start After Biceps Scare, Hits 300th Career Homer

Q: He hit 300 homers at a historic pace, but what is the biggest threat to Ohtani reaching 500?

The biggest threat is not his power; it is the wear-and-tear of being a full two-way player and the workload limits that come with it. Ohtani reached 300 homers faster than almost everyone in history, and at 32 he is on a realistic 500-homer track. But unlike most sluggers, he is also carrying a frontline pitching load again after elbow surgery and a recent biceps issue. That creates two risks at once: missed time from injury and fewer plate appearances because the Dodgers must manage his workload carefully. The evidence is already there. Los Angeles is taking precautions with his usage, holding him out of events like the Home Run Derby and monitoring his two-way schedule in his first full return to pitching in years. Reports have noted that the club may reduce his hitting volume on pitching days to protect his health over the long term. Even small cuts in games or at-bats matter when the target is 200 more home runs. There is also a baseball tradeoff. Ohtani’s best recent offensive peaks came when he was not fully pitching, while 2026 has included a clear push to excel on the mound, even with Cy Young ambitions. If he keeps prioritizing both roles, he may remain great overall while giving up some home-run volume. So the path to 500 is less about whether Ohtani can hit enough, and more about whether his body and schedule allow him enough chances to do it.

Q: Could Ohtani's Cy Young quest jeopardize his historic hitting and the Dodgers' quest for another title?

Probably not—at least not if the Dodgers keep managing Shohei Ohtani the way they are now. The evidence so far points to strain, not breakdown. Ohtani’s Cy Young push is real: he has been dominant on the mound, with an ERA around 1.00, elite velocity and efficiency, and clear intent to compete seriously for the award. That workload can affect the bat. Reporting around his season has noted some slippage from his 2023-24 offensive peak, less explosive power at times, and tougher production on days he pitches. Dave Roberts has openly acknowledged the mental and physical tax of doing both. But the bigger picture is that Ohtani is still an elite hitter while pitching at an ace level. He is batting around .294 with a .409 OBP, 20 homers in 84 games, top-tier hard-contact metrics, and NL-leading run creation numbers. His 300th homer and his unprecedented 300-homer/100-steal mark through nine seasons show that his historic offense remains intact even in a heavier pitching year. For the Dodgers, the greater risk is health, not performance. That is why they are using a six-man rotation, limiting extra events like the Home Run Derby and All-Star pitching, and building in rest. Those precautions suggest the club sees workload management as the key to protecting both Ohtani’s bat and its title defense. If Ohtani stays healthy, his Cy Young chase is more likely to strengthen the Dodgers’ championship odds than undermine them.

3 articles · Updated · ESPN · Jul 8

Friday’s pitching start is back on for Shohei Ohtani after the Dodgers determined he has fully recovered from the right biceps tightness that forced him out early last week.
Tuesday brought another milestone: Ohtani hit his 300th career home run in a 4-3 loss to Colorado, reaching the mark in his 1,121st game and becoming the first player with 300 homers and 100 steals in his first nine seasons.
Dave Roberts said Los Angeles is still prepared to pivot if Ohtani feels any setback over the next two days, but the club no longer expects to skip his final start before the All-Star break.
20 homers at the plate and an 8-2 record with a 1.79 ERA on the mound have made Ohtani the All-Star leading vote-getter, though the Dodgers do not expect him to pitch in the game or enter the Home Run Derby.

Sources

ESPN7h ago

Shohei Ohtani Cleared for Friday Pitching Start After Biceps Injury, Hits 300th Homer

Sports Illustrated6h ago

Shohei Ohtani Hits 300th Career Home Run in Dodgers vs Rockies: Live Updates

Los Angeles Times7h ago

Shohei Ohtani hits 300th homer, Justin Wrobleski makes All-Star case - Los Angeles Times

13 Sources

He hit 300 homers at a historic pace, but what is the biggest threat to Ohtani reaching 500?

Could Ohtani's Cy Young quest jeopardize his historic hitting and the Dodgers' quest for another title?

What does modern science reveal about the true physical cost of Ohtani's unprecedented two-way superstardom?

Shohei Ohtani Reaches 300 MLB Home Runs: Dodgers’ Cautious Approach and His Unmatched 2026 MVP Campaign

Overview

As of July 8, 2026, Shohei Ohtani’s health is a top priority for the Los Angeles Dodgers, who are carefully managing his arm after recent biceps tightness. This has led to speculation that Ohtani might miss his next pitching start, as the team aims to keep him healthy and effective all season. Despite these concerns, Ohtani continues to excel both as a pitcher and hitter, boasting an 8-2 record with a 1.79 ERA and leading the Dodgers in OPS. The Dodgers’ cautious approach also affects his All-Star Game participation, with plans to limit his involvement to protect his long-term impact.

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