Can we see Shohei Ohtani (30) of the Los Angeles Dodgers take the mound during the postseason.
Ohtani underwent elbow surgery last year. Therefore, he is playing as a batter this season, the first year of his transfer to the Dodgers. Ohtani, who gradually recovered his physical condition throughout the season, is in the process of preparing to take the mound as a pitcher by pitching in the bullpen. In the U.S., questions are continuing over whether Ohtani will be able to take the mound during the postseason.
However, Ohtani is expected to play as a pitcher next season. The Dodgers have repeatedly expressed negative stance on whether Ohtani will take the mound in the postseason. The Major League’s official website, MLB.com , said on the 3rd (Korea time), “As the Dodgers entered the postseason, we had to make a decision on whether to proceed with Ohtani’s rehabilitation process or not. If Ohtani started throwing balls on the mound against batters, Ohtani could be an option to pitch as a pitcher during the postseason. However, Ohtani is unlikely to take the mound in October,” predicting that Ohtani will not be able to see a pitcher this season.
Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomez, who has continuously expressed his intention that Ohtani will not take the mound this year, also reiterated the club’s position, saying, “It is no different from before. We do not expect Ohtani to pitch in the postseason.” 스포츠토토
MLB.com said, “General manager Gomez also said that Ohtani will continue to throw the ball, but he will not pitch against the batter. Ohtani will only throw bullpen pitching before the game and on his days off. This is what Ohtani has been doing during the season for months,” adding that Ohtani will not take the postseason mound.
The possibility of Ohtani taking the mound in the postseason has been raised because of a number of injuries in the Dodgers’ starting lineup. While key pitchers such as Tyler Glasnow and Clayton Kershaw have left due to injuries, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said in an interview with U.S. local media that “all possibilities are open. If multiple situations fit together, Ohtani may take the mound as a pitcher in this year’s postseason. It is unlikely, but it is not impossible at all,” drawing keen attention to whether Ohtani will return to the mound.
Ohtani, however, plans to slowly build up his body. If he tries too hard, it could lead to more serious injury. Dodgers also suffered from injuries throughout the season, but recorded 98 wins and 64 losses with a 0.605 winning rate. It won the National League West championship.
Meanwhile, Ohtani focused solely on hitters and displayed tremendous performance. In 159 games this season, Ohtani recorded 197 hits, 54 homers, 130 RBIs, 134 runs and 59 steals, with a 0.310 on-base plus slugging percentage of 0.646 OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage) of 1.036. Home runs and RBIs, runs scored, on-base percentage, slugging percentage and OPS all ranked first in the National League. He also ranked second in both batting average and hits. He achieved the minimum number of home runs and 40 steals in games, and became the first Major League player to hit 50 home runs and 50 steals. Ohtani, who had an all-time-high season, will play in the postseason for the first time since joining the Major League.
