When the Los Angeles Dodgers spent $700 million on two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani, they knew he would not pitch in the 2024 season due to an injury. However, with L.A. making it to the World Series, there was some speculation Ohtani could be ready to return to the mound for the Fall Classic.
Sorry, fans – It’s not going to happen, Dodgers Nation reports.
Dodgers President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman dispelled any rumors during a radio interview Thursday, confirming that Ohtani’s role will remain strictly as a hitter.
“He is a one-way player for the next 10 days,” Friedman said. “And then he will go back to being a two-way player.”
Ohtani has been throwing lightly from flat ground throughout the playoffs, including long toss sessions from deep center field before Game 2 of the National League Division Series. While these practices stirred hopes that he might pitch, the Dodgers made it clear that won’t be happening.
Manager Dave Roberts also shut down the possibility. “There’s no possibility, none whatsoever,” Roberts said. “Thank you for asking,” Dodgers Nation reported.
In 2023, before suffering a UCL tear that ended his season as a pitcher, Ohtani amassed a 10-5 record with a 3.14 ERA. The Dodgers hope and expect he will return to a full two-way role next season once he’s fully recovered.
For now, the Dodgers will rely on Ohtani’s bat as they pursue a World Series title.
