When the Los Angeles Dodgers signed Shohei Ohtani to a record-breaking contract in free agency, it was with an understanding — and expectation — he would not pitch for the team until 2025.
Ohtani’s recovery process went well throughout the winter but he didn’t start a throwing program until after the Dodgers returned from the Seoul Series. The two-time American League MVP recently progressed to bullpen sessions, and coupled with the rash of Dodgers injuries, it’s fueled speculation Ohtani may pitch in the postseason.
There are still multiple steps to get through and benchmarks to reach before that possibility becomes a reality, but it’s one that Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has not yet fully ruled out.
When asked if he felt capable of pitching in October, Ohtani didn’t state one way or the other, per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic:
“I’m not sure,” he said with a smirk.
Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes previously shut down the idea of Ohtani pitching in 2024, deeming there “no world” where that would happen, even in the playoffs.
Ohtani’s last time on the mound was Aug. 23, 2023, when he pitched just 1.1 scoreless innings before leaving with the right elbow injury that ultimately required surgery.
Ohtani owns a career 3.01 ERA, 3.31 FIP, 1.08 WHIP, 31.2% strikeout rate and 8.9% walk rate across 481.2 innings.
Dodgers meeting for Ohtani’s pitching plan
Despite their initial reluctance to consider having Ohtani pitch this year, he and the Dodgers are scheduled to meet once the team is back from their road trip to discuss the plan moving forward.
Even if it is only a remote possibility, a decimated Dodgers pitching staff has seemingly led to them needing to evaluate all options for their postseason pitching plans.
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