Imagine it: Shohei Ohtani on the mound in the playoffs. It might sound far-fetched, but suddenly, it’s not entirely impossible anymore. Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has recently cracked open the door to the idea, hinting that it’s "not a 0 percent chance." While it’s still a long shot, Ohtani pitching in October isn’t completely off the table.
Ohtani’s Road to Recovery: A Glimmer of Hope?
Ohtani has been making significant strides in his recovery, having undergone a second procedure to repair his right ulnar collateral ligament just 12 months ago. Over the past few weeks, he’s been throwing bullpen sessions, and there’s even talk that he could progress to facing live hitters before September ends. Initially, the plan was for Ohtani to shut down his throwing program in October and focus on a more traditional offseason rehabilitation to be ready as a two-way player for 2025.
However, there’s a new potential scenario that could shift those plans. What if Ohtani continues to throw and builds up enough to be an option for the Dodgers come postseason time? Imagine the excitement of Ohtani making a comeback in the later rounds of the playoffs – something that seemed completely out of the question just a few weeks ago.
"Anything’s possible," says Roberts.
Roberts, who had previously dismissed the idea of Ohtani pitching this season, has softened his stance ever so slightly. "This is something that is a long-term play," he explained. "We still have a lot of work to do to get to October and through October. I hope that's on his mind, as far as motivation for his rehab. The odds of it coming to pass are very slim, but they're not zero."
While the chances remain slim, the mere consideration of Ohtani pitching speaks volumes about the uncertainty surrounding the Dodgers’ rotation as they approach the postseason.
The Dodgers’ Rotation: A Rollercoaster of Uncertainty
The Dodgers’ pitching staff has been hit hard by injuries and inconsistency. Yoshinobu Yamamoto recently returned to the mound for the first time in three months and put on a promising display, striking out eight Chicago Cubs batters in just four innings. But beyond Jack Flaherty, the Dodgers have more questions than answers when it comes to their starting rotation.
The biggest wild card? Tyler Glasnow. Glasnow, who has been sidelined since August 11 with elbow tendinitis, looked like he was on track for a return. He was preparing to throw a two- to three-inning simulated game when disaster struck. As Glasnow approached his 25th throw in the bullpen at Truist Park, he felt discomfort around his right elbow again. The session was cut short, and now the Dodgers are left scrambling, uncertain about the next step.
"It started off well," Roberts said, "and then as he got close to his 25th pitch, he felt something. It’s obviously a setback."
With time rapidly running out before the postseason, the Dodgers are reassessing their options. But it’s not just Glasnow they’re worried about. Clayton Kershaw and Gavin Stone, two key players also on the injured list, are pushing to return but are similarly running out of time.
Kershaw’s Painful Setback
Kershaw’s issue stems from a hairline fracture in his left big toe. The pain it causes every time he pushes off the mound has kept him from even throwing off a traditional mound, much less gearing up for the playoffs. He’s been trying to manage the pain, but with the clock ticking, his availability remains a major question mark.
Stone’s Shoulder Struggles
Then there’s Gavin Stone, who had been arguably the Dodgers' best starter earlier this season. Stone was shut down on September 6 due to shoulder inflammation. He’s been limited to playing catch, which doesn’t inspire much confidence that he’ll be ready for postseason action anytime soon.
Ohtani’s Heroic History: A Tempting Prospect
Enter Ohtani. Remember, this isn’t the first time we’ve seen Ohtani come out of the bullpen in a high-stakes moment. Just last year, during the World Baseball Classic, he famously closed out the championship game for Team Japan by striking out none other than his then-teammate, Mike Trout. The idea of Ohtani swooping in to save the Dodgers’ postseason with a few heroic innings is enough to make any fan's heart race.
Roberts hasn’t spoken to Ohtani about the possibility of pitching in the playoffs yet, but it might be only a matter of time. If Ohtani is open to the idea, it will be tough for the Dodgers to resist the temptation of using him. The thought of Ohtani taking the mound, even for a brief stint, could be exactly the kind of boost the team needs as they battle through the postseason.
Roberts: We Need to Be Sure
Of course, as thrilling as the idea sounds, Roberts remains cautious. "We all have to feel very confident that the buildup, that the stress of pitches, that he'll be able to handle the cost-benefit of him potentially doing something like that," Roberts said. "We'd all have to be in lockstep, and it's got to make complete sense."
At the moment, Roberts is keeping Ohtani focused on his hitting and rehab, not pitching. But if the opportunity arises, it’s not a conversation they’ll shy away from having.
The Dodgers’ Postseason Push: Will Ohtani Be a Factor?
As the Dodgers inch closer to October, the pressure is mounting. Their once-strong rotation is filled with question marks, and every day counts when it comes to getting their key players back on the mound. With Glasnow’s latest setback, the rotation is even more uncertain, and the team is scrambling to figure out how to patch things up before the postseason begins.
But the prospect of Ohtani stepping in – even in a limited role – is tantalizing. Could he be the spark the Dodgers need to make a deep playoff run? Or is it all just a pipe dream, a "what if" that will never materialize?
The Odds: Slim, But Not Zero
The odds are still stacked against Ohtani pitching in the playoffs. After all, he’s just 12 months removed from a significant surgery, and the last thing the Dodgers want to do is rush his recovery and risk his long-term health. But the fact that Roberts has even left the door open, however slightly, means it’s not entirely out of the realm of possibility.
In a season filled with ups and downs for the Dodgers’ pitching staff, the idea of Ohtani stepping in to help carry them through the postseason is enough to keep fans dreaming. It may be a long shot, but as Roberts said, "Anything’s possible." And when it comes to Ohtani, baseball’s most exciting two-way star, nothing can ever be fully ruled out.
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