Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is leaving the door slightly ajar for the possibility of Shohei Ohtani making a dramatic appearance as a reliever in the upcoming postseason. While the odds are slim, Roberts hasn’t completely ruled out the idea.
“I wouldn’t say no way … I’m not going to close the door 100%,” Roberts told Bill Plaschke of the Los Angeles Times, keeping hope alive for what would be a stunning and unexpected return for Ohtani on the mound.
Ohtani, the two-way superstar, signed a monumental 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers in December, cementing his future with the team. However, the 30-year-old has not pitched since joining the Dodgers due to ongoing recovery from elbow surgery he underwent last September. The surgery was expected to keep him off the mound for the entirety of the 2024 season, with the assumption that he would resume pitching sometime in 2025.
Ohtani’s last relief experience came during the World Baseball Classic, where he played a pivotal role in Japan’s championship run. He hasn’t pitched in relief in Major League Baseball, but his ability to come out of the bullpen in high-pressure situations is undeniable, making the prospect of him returning in the playoffs all the more tantalizing.
Ohtani’s rehab has gone well so far, including a successful bullpen session on August 24, fueling speculation that he might be further along in his recovery than originally anticipated. While that progress sparked some hope, Roberts remains grounded about the likelihood of Ohtani making a postseason appearance as a reliever.
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“It sounds like a storybook moment, right? Ohtani coming out of the bullpen in October to close out a game would be incredible,” Roberts acknowledged. “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.”
However, Roberts tempered expectations, emphasizing the risks involved in rushing Ohtani back to high-leverage pitching too soon. “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 risking further injury. You just cannot duplicate the stress of that one inning. I just don’t think it’s worth it,” Roberts explained.
The allure of seeing Ohtani shut down opponents in October is strong, but the Dodgers have to weigh the long-term health and future of their prized star. With a massive investment in Ohtani, the team is focused on ensuring he returns to the mound at full strength when he’s ready, rather than risking an early comeback in a high-pressure environment.
For now, Dodgers fans can dream about the possibility of seeing Ohtani in a postseason role, but the reality is that it’s a long shot.
Roberts and the Dodgers’ front office will continue to monitor Ohtani’s recovery carefully, but it’s likely the star’s pitching return will have to wait until the 2025 season.
