Shohei Ohtani is an unprecedented phenomenon, even if some try to draw comparisons with Babe Ruth. Now, in this final stretch, discussions are emerging about a role he has never played in MLB, though the current needs of the Los Angeles Dodgers might force Dave Roberts to make these unexpected moves.
Ultimately, this would only enhance the Japanese star’s already impressive résumé.
Ohtani’s potential Postseason role
After the latest 9-6 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies, Ohtani revealed that the team has discussed the possibility of using him as a reliever in the postseason, with the sacrifice of moving him to the outfield.
“I’ve had different conversations with different people, and of course that’s come up,” Ohtani told Japanese reporters, according to MLB.com.
Using Shohei Ohtani as a reliever seems like a logical option. The Japanese star hasn’t pitched more than five innings in a start this season, as the Dodgers have carefully managed his workload following elbow surgery in September 2023. In a shorter role on the mound, his explosive pitching repertoire, capable of generating swings and misses, would be a major boost for the inconsistent Dodgers bullpen.
The issue is that the Dodgers would face a hurdle in MLB’s regulations. The so-called “Ohtani Rule,” implemented in 2022 specifically with the two-time MVP in mind, allows a starting pitcher who is also listed as the designated hitter (DH) to remain in that role even after being relieved on the mound. Under the previous rule, that spot would be forfeited, and the reliever would have to take their place in the batting order. In other words, if Ohtani started a playoff game as the DH and then entered as a reliever, the Dodgers would lose their designated hitter after he left the game.
The alternative? Move Ohtani to the outfield. It’s an option he has mentioned himself and one that isn’t entirely unfamiliar to him: during his time with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters in the Japanese League, he recorded 90 outs, seven assists, and just one error in 62 games as an outfielder. However, in Major League Baseball, he has only played 8 1/3 innings in the outfield, and not since 2021 when he was with the Angels.
It remains to be seen if this is the path the Dodgers will take with the three-time MVP, but one thing is certain: Ohtani will do everything in his power to help the team win.
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