Will Shohei Ohtani Pitch for Dodgers in World Series? Dave Roberts, Andrew Friedman Answer
There has been some speculation that Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani could potentially make his postseason debut on the mound in the World Series.
President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman addressed that rumor in a radio interview on Thursday.
“He is a one-way player for the next 10 days,” Friedman said. “And then he will go back to being a two-way player.”
Ohtani has been playing catch from flat ground throughout the playoffs, but any plans to progress further than that can officially be ruled out.
The two-way star played a round of long toss from deep center field before Game 2 of the National League Division Series and continued throwing during the five-day break but pitching is out of the question.
Manager Dave Roberts also commented about the possibility of Ohtani pitching: “There’s no possibility, none whatsoever. Thank you for asking.”
Ohtani, who served as a designated hitter this season after undergoing his second Tommy John surgery, has now reached a stage in his recovery where he could theoretically return to pitching.
But, it is in everyone’s best interest for him to keep hitting.
Hall of Fame pitcher Randy Johnson appeared on Thursday’s episode of The Pat McAfee Show and agreed.
“If I were ownership or management or whatever with the Dodgers I would just let him continue to be the offensive force that he’s been for the Dodgers. Then I would go into spring training and see where he’s at. Hopefully, he can be a big part of the rotation next year,” Johnson said.
Ohtani hasn’t taken the mound since Aug. 23, 2023, after undergoing his second Tommy John surgery. His first surgery was back in 2018.
The lead-off hitter for the Dodgers hasn’t asked to pitch and even his teammates don’t see the positive side in him returning early.
“I think if you look at it long term … being a second Tommy John, he just signed for, what was it like (10) years? I think when you, like, weigh it out in the future, it‘s probably not the best idea,” Glasnow said on Wednesday’s Foul Territory. “I think what he‘s allowed to contribute to or, like, what he has been contributing hitting has been huge. I’m sure if you asked him, he’d be like, ’I’m down.’
“But I think it’s more of a collective decision. And like, I think, it takes some time to get back. And you have your bullpens, you got to throw to hitters, and I think depending on feel, too, it takes some time, like, you gotta get into like, a live hitter situation and figure it out. I don’t doubt that Shohei could probably come in and shove and dominate. I just think I’d like the collective, cohesive decision of the group. … I’d be surprised if it happens, but I’m sure he could do it.”
Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
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