Shohei Ohtani’s right knee was still sore when he arrived at Angel Stadium on Sunday. He took a baseball directly to it in the previous night’s ninth inning, on a foul ball against Los Angeles Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen, then spent the ensuing morning receiving treatment.

In the second inning, Ohtani informed Los Angeles Angels manager Mike Scioscia that he would be available to pinch hit if needed.

In the seventh, he hit the home run that won the game.

“It was going to be hard for me to run all-out,” Ohtani said through his interpreter after a 4-3 win in the Freeway Series finale. “I was glad I was able to hit a home run so I didn’t have to run too much.”

This guy is too good to worry about his career as a pitcher. He may have to choose what he wants to do full time, because it’s not worth it to lose him as a batter.