Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has not completely dismissed the possibility of utilizing Shohei Ohtani as a reliever in the postseason. In a recent statement, Roberts noted, “I wouldn’t say no way … I’m not going to close the door 100%,” as reported by Bill Plaschke of the Los Angeles Times.
Ohtani, who signed a 10-year, $700-million contract with the Dodgers in December, has not pitched for the team since joining. After undergoing elbow surgery last September, the expectation was that he would not pitch in 2025.
The 30-year-old Ohtani has no experience pitching in relief roles outside of the World Baseball Classic. Despite this, he has made significant progress in his rehabilitation and successfully completed a bullpen session on August 24.
Although the idea of Ohtani making a dramatic return from the bullpen in the playoffs is appealing, Roberts remains cautious about the feasibility of such a scenario. “If I was scripting a movie or writing a book, it would be a no-brainer that he comes out of rehabilitation and throws the last pitch,” Roberts said.
He added, “The problem is, in reality, he hasn’t thrown a leverage pitch in over a year. If he were to come out, and it does go awry, it’s not worth (a) potential injury. You just cannot duplicate the stress of that one inning. I just don’t think it’s worth it.”
