In a season full of ups and downs for the Dodgers, Shohei Ohtani’s recent return to the mound has reignited the team’s hopes, although it has also sparked intense debate about his role. The two-way phenomenon, despite showing excellent performance as a pitcher with a 2.37 ERA, has been used cautiously, leading some to wonder if the team should consider him for a role beyond being a starter.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has directly addressed the speculation, sharing his thoughts on Ohtani’s future in the rotation. While Roberts acknowledged that he likes the idea of Ohtani as a high-impact closer, he stated that the team needs him to pitch as many innings as possible to help win the championship.
Dave Roberts’ optimism
The Dodgers manager spoke to the media and explained how he sees the Japanese player and how eager he is to be able to contribute more and more to the team every day.
“I love watching Shohei the closer. It was great. I also like Shohei’s five innings. So we’ll see. I mean, I think Shohei wants to win. He’s made that very clear. Whatever he can do to help us win a championship, he’s willing to do it. So right now we need him to pitch innings.”
The Dodgers rotation
With the imminent recovery of several star pitchers, the Dodgers’ rotation could become one of the deepest in baseball. This scenario has sparked debate about Shohei Ohtani’s use, especially as the team’s bullpen has been weakened by injuries. Baseball legend David Ortiz has even suggested that Ohtani could be the ideal closer, an idea the team might consider to make the most of his talent.
On the other hand, the idea of Ohtani as a closer, while theoretical in MLB, is not entirely new. The player demonstrated his ability to handle pressure on the international stage during the final of the 2023 World Baseball Classic, where he struck out Mike Trout to secure Japan’s victory. This moment, which demonstrated his ability to perform in the most crucial moments of the game, could be a sign of what the team could expect if the decision is made to relocate him.
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