“It depends on how long the series goes, but if there’s a possibility I’ll be needed in any of the games, I want to be ready,” Ohtani said in Japanese after Game 4 on Tuesday night. “There could be games like yesterday’s that go into extra innings and don’t get decided for a while, so I want to stay prepared to pitch at any time.”
While manager Dave Roberts said he has yet to personally discuss the matter with Ohtani, he expects the two-way superstar will be an option out of the bullpen in Game 6 — and a potential Game 7 — in Toronto.
“When you’re talking about Game 6, potentially Game 7 of the World Series, all hands on deck,” Roberts said on Wednesday afternoon. “So we’ll see where that goes.”
The Dodgers had idly discussed the possibility of Ohtani pitching in relief during the postseason since the stretch run, but in the end, they wanted him to be able to focus on being an effective member of the four-man rotation, in addition to being the team’s leadoff hitter every night.
The two-way player rule also works differently for starters than relievers. When Ohtani starts a game on the mound and is replaced, he is able to remain in the game as the designated hitter. But if he were to start the game as the DH and then pitch in relief, the Dodgers would lose the DH once Ohtani’s pitching appearance ends.
With the World Series set to be decided in Toronto, the Dodgers only have so many games remaining. Ohtani is not going to make another start. There’s nothing to be lost, only gained, by sending him to the mound one more time if the situation calls for it.
“If he can go, if it makes sense,” Roberts said, “certainly he would be an option.”
