Will it be possible to see Shohei Ohtani (aged 30, LA Dodgers) take the mound as a pitcher in this year’s postseason? It is highly unlikely, but it is a pleasant thing to imagine.
The LA Times, a U.S. media outlet, reported on the 13th (Korea time) that “Can we see Otani playing bullpen in the postseason playoffs?” and “What, what can’t be done?”
Ohtani is currently approaching the record of 50 home runs and 50 steals, which has never been played in major league history. With no game on the 13th, Ohtani started as the first designated hitter in the 2024 U.S. Major League Baseball Chicago Cubs at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California, on the 12th, and was active in four at-bats, including one home run, with two hits, one walk, three RBIs and one stolen base.
In 143 games this season, Ohtani has a batting average of 0.292 (166 hits in 569 times at bat), 47 homers, 104 RBIs, 116 runs, 30 doubles, seven triples, 74 walks, 146 strikeouts, 48 steals (four failed attempts) with an on-base percentage of 0.375, a slugging percentage of 0.617 and an OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage) of 0.992. He has only three homers and two steals left to achieve the long-awaited 50 homers and 50 steals, respectively. As the Dodgers have 16 games to play this season, it will be only a matter of time before it achieves the milestone. Ohtani will challenge the Atlanta Braves to record 48th homerun and 49th stolen base, respectively, in an away game at 8:20 a.m. on the 14th. 스포츠토토
“In 2020, the Dodgers won the World Series in the least common scenario,” the Los Angeles Times said. “The last seven outs against the Tampa Bay Rays was Julio Yurias, who only pitched once during the regular season.” “Although Yurias was not a relief pitcher, the Dodgers made a wise and clever decision. Based on this courageous decision, we won the World Series in 2020,” he said. “If the Dodgers face a similar situation this year, it should be courageous. Then who will be the savior this year? Shohei Ohtani. Such a thing (Otani’s relief appearance) could happen. It has to happen again. Ohtani can do anything. How cool would it be that such a thing is actually going to happen?”
The media continued, “Ohtani’s rehabilitation process will slowly end,” adding, “Now there will be an inning in which the Dodgers need three out-counts to win or confirm the division series or championship series.” “For example, we need a pitcher to catch Kyle Schwarber, Trey Turner, or Bryce Harper of the Philadelphia Phillies in the ninth inning of Game 7 of the National League Championship Series. How about sending Ohtani out at this time? We also need a pitcher to catch Juan Soto or Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees in the ninth inning of Game 9 of the World Series, so how about Ohtani’s relief pitcher?” he stressed again.
The media continued, “By the time we enter the postseason, Ohtani will be ready to pitch. Ohtani is already pitching a bullpen. He also plans to pitch practice against Dodgers hitters in the last week of this season,” adding, “Of course, we don’t have enough time to start as a starting pitcher. However, if there is no big problem, we will have to be in a position to take responsibility for one inning in October.”
Of course, the possibility seems low. Above all, he could suffer even bigger injuries if he tries too hard. The Los Angeles Times reported that LA Dodgers manager Dave Roberts admitted that although rumors about Otani taking the mound in the postseason were cool, it would be difficult. “If I were to write a movie scenario or a book, it would be natural for a pitcher who finished his rehabilitation to pitch at the last minute,” Roberts said. “The problem is that Otani hasn’t thrown a ball at the final destination for more than a year. There are also concerns about his injury. I don’t think it’s worth it.” Andrew Friedman, president of baseball’s operations division, also dismissed the possibility, saying, “We don’t think we should consider this at all. Otani is still in the process of rehabilitation.”
Ohtani is committed to rehabilitation with the goal of starting the opening game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Chicago Cubs in Japan next season. If he takes the mound as a pitcher at a critical moment in this year’s postseason, a dramatic scene will be created, but it is not expected to be easy in a situation where he is concerned about injury.
