There is a possibility that Shohei Ohtani will pitch in a major league game in 2024.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts didn't rule out having the two-way superstar pitch for his team in the postseason, even though he has yet to take the mound this season.
“I wouldn't say never… I'm not closing the door 100 percent.” Roberts told the Los Angeles Times:.
Ohtani underwent elbow surgery last September that limited his batting this season and he only began pitching in late August.
Roberts acknowledged that with the short preparation time, it remains unlikely Ohtani will face batters in an actual game.
“If I was writing the movie or the book, it makes sense that he would come out of rehab and pitch one last inning,” Roberts said. “The thing is, he hasn't pitched a significant inning in over a year. If he goes in and it doesn't go well, it's not worth the potential injury. You can't recreate the stress of that one inning. I just don't think it's worth it.”
Roberts suggested Ohtani would be itching to pitch again if his health allows.
“Shohei will be participating,” Roberts said. SiriusXM MLB Network Radio Friday“… We'll have to wait and see what happens.”
Ohtani signed a record-breaking 10-year, $700 million contract during the offseason and is set to have a historic season in 2024, his first with the Dodgers.
Heading into Friday's game, Ohtani is batting .292 with a .375 on-base percentage, .617 slugging percentage, 47 home runs and 48 stolen bases, putting him on the brink of becoming the first 50-50 player in MLB history.
The Dodgers would be happy to get anything from Ohtani, who had a 3.01 ERA in 86 starts with the Angels.
The team is dealing with a myriad of injuries to its starting lineup, with many players missing, including Tyler Glasnow, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Clayton Kershaw.
Despite this, the Dodgers are 87-59 and five games behind the Diamondbacks in the National League West.
