Shohei Ohtani has not pitched in 2024, but has been rehabbing in hopes of doing so next season. With injuries to the Los Angeles Dodgers rotation, Dave Roberts left the door open for Ohtani to potentially pitch in the postseason.
"Anything's possible," Roberts said on September 13. "This is something that is a long-term play. We still have a lot of work to do to get to October and through October. I hope that's on his mind, as far as motivation for his rehab. The odds of it coming to pass are very slim, but they're not zero."
While Ohtani pitching would be a sight to see in the postseason, the move would feel desperate, according to USA TODAY's Bob Nightengale.
"While the Los Angeles Dodgers are not ruling out the possibility of Shohei Ohtani taking the mound if they reach the NLCS or the World Series, the simple idea reeks of desperation," wrote Nightengale.
Nightengale went on to explain that Ohtani has not faced a hitter this season and a relief role in the postseason is not worth the risk of injury.
"Is a postseason relief appearance or two really worth a $700 million gamble and a potential third surgery? Oh sure, it would make a nice Hollywood story, and while Ohtani has continually defied the odds in his career, putting him into a situation without pitching in a game since Aug. 23, 2023, would be nothing short of reckless," wrote Nightengale.
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