Just as the Los Angeles Dodgers grapple with a string of pitching injuries, manager Dave Roberts has not ruled out the possibility of Shohei Ohtani taking the mound in the postseason. Ohtani, sidelined from pitching for the entire 2024 season due to Tommy John surgery, has remained a force offensively, with a historic chance to become the first player in MLB history to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a single season.
The Dodgers, postseason favorites from the outset after acquiring Ohtani and star pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, are now facing a critical shortage of healthy arms. Four starting pitchers are on the injured list, including Tyler Glasnow, who recently suffered a rehab setback, and Clayton Kershaw, racing against time to return for October. Yamamoto, despite a two-and-a-half-month IL stint, has provided stability with a sub-3.00 ERA, but the pitching depth is wearing thin.
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Ohtani’s potential return to the mound could be a game-changer. Despite undergoing Tommy John surgery, Roberts hinted at the possibility, saying the team would consider all options. MLB Insider Jon Morosi emphasized that Ohtani should be the one to decide whether he’s ready, noting, “He himself has not ruled out pitching in the postseason.”
While Ohtani has only thrown lightly in the bullpen so far, his return as a pitcher could significantly boost the Dodgers’ chances. However, the risks are clear: pitching too soon could jeopardize his health and future career, as well as the Dodgers’ investment in him. The team is carefully evaluating the situation, knowing that Ohtani’s decision could define their playoff run.
As the Dodgers eye a deep postseason push, Ohtani’s potential return to the mound remains one of the most captivating storylines in baseball, adding another chapter to his already legendary two-way career.
