Shohei Ohtani, the designated hitter for the Los Angeles Dodgers, is nearing the end of one of the best seasons in MLB history by any player. On course to win his third Most Valuable Player Award, Ohtani’s next step would be to regain his form as MLB’s two-way great.
Ohtani has never appeared in a Dodgers uniform. The perennial All-Star last pitched for the Los Angeles Angels on August 23, 2023, against the Cincinnati Reds. He departed that start with elbow discomfort, which necessitated surgery and prevented him from pitching during the 2024 regular season.
Los Angeles signed Ohtani despite the fact that there was some risk he would never pitch again. The two-time AL MVP, on the other hand, has worked tirelessly to return to the Dodgers’ starting rotation. In September, MLB rumors circulated that he could join the Dodgers’ bullpen for the playoffs. Los Angeles would benefit greatly from this, given the squad has been ravaged by pitching injuries.
Speaking with Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register, Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman made it apparent that Ohtani will not throw in the MLB playoffs this season.
“We aren’t even thinking about that right now. This is like January for him. He’s just barely a year out from Tommy John. To me, he’s not really an option.”
Los Angeles Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman on if Shohei Ohtani will pitch in the MLB playoffs
As much as fans want Ohtani back on the mound, Friedman and the Dodgers’ strategy is sound. Despite his experience of coming out of the bullpen in critical occasions, including serving as Team Japan’s closer in the World Baseball Classic, he faces a lengthy recovery after elbow surgery.
Teams generally send pitchers out on rehab assignments to build up their pitch count and face live hitters before returning to the majors. That is obviously not an option for Los Angeles, as it would remove Ohtani from the Dodgers’ lineup.
Friedman made it plain where Ohtani is in his rehab process, which is essentially the stage pitchers reach in January before spring training. Using that comparison, Ohtani is still several months away from being ready to contribute as a pitcher for a major league team. Putting him in the Dodgers rotation would risk a setback, jeopardizing his career as a pitcher. Fans will have to wait until 2025 to watch Ohtani pitch for the Dodgers.
