Dave Roberts Leaves Door Open on Shohei Ohtani Playing Outfield for Dodgers in 2024

Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani will begin a throwing program soon and could even face live batters by this fall after undergoing a hybrid Tommy John surgery for a torn UCL last year. Still, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has made it clear he won’t be pitching for the team this season.

However, the twist is that Ohtani could play in the outfield in 2024, if his arm is healthy enough. Ohtani previously revealed that he brought his outfield glove to Spring Training in case the Dodgers wanted to utilize him there. At the time, the Dodgers had no plans of using him there. Now, Roberts has left the door open to Ohtani appearing in the outfield.

“Shohei this year is primarily going to be the designated hitter. Once we get back to the States, he is going to start his throwing program, which he hasn’t started yet. We’ll see how that progression goes. If his arm is healthy enough, we’ll have that conversation in the field. I do know he’s not going to pitch this year.”

— Dodgers manager Dave Roberts

For the time being, expect Ohtani to primarily help the team as a hitter. In the Cactus League, Ohtani had 22 at-bats, and hit .500 while recording 11 hits, five runs, nine RBIs and two home runs.

He will get his first taste of regular season action in a Dodgers uniform on Wednesday, when the Dodgers take on the San Diego Padres in the Seoul Series.

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