Since Shohei Ohtani’s introduction at Dodger Stadium last December, the Los Angeles Dodgers have set their sights on a 2025 return for the talented two-way player, at least publicly. For now, Ohtani has been focusing solely on his designated hitter role this season.
In that capacity, he’s been nothing short of remarkable, boasting a .292 batting average, 47 home runs, 48 stolen bases, and leading the National League with 104 RBIs from the leadoff position. He’s on track to make MLB history by potentially becoming the first player to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a single season.
Recently, Ohtani has been ramping up his throwing activities, including multiple bullpen sessions this month. Although he’s not yet facing major league hitters, his past pitching stats with the Angels (38-19 with a 3.01 ERA from 2018–2023) are hard to ignore, with his 2022 season earning him a fourth-place finish in Cy Young voting.
On Friday, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts hinted that a pitching debut for their $700 million star could be possible. “You should always leave some margin, a crack in the door for any possibility,” he shared on MLB Network Radio. “If everything lines up and it makes sense, that would be great. But counting on that might be unrealistic.”
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The Dodgers’ pitching situation isn’t helping their hopes for a “storybook” ending. Both veteran pitchers Tyler Glasnow and Clayton Kershaw are currently on the injured list—Glasnow due to elbow tendonitis and Kershaw with a foot bone spur. As of now, their postseason readiness is uncertain.
Trade deadline addition Jack Flaherty and high-profile free agent Yoshinobu Yamamoto are performing well, but the overall pitching landscape for October looks uncertain. Rookie Landon Knack (2-3, 3.00 ERA) could step up as the team’s third-best starter, yet he’s mostly been at Triple-A and lacks postseason experience. Meanwhile, Bobby Miller (2-4, 8.17 ERA) and Walker Buehler (1-5, 5.95) have underperformed amid injuries.
With Kershaw and Glasnow’s health still in question, Roberts faces limited options for his October pitching staff. The acquisition of reliever Michael Kopech (3-0, four saves, 1.00 ERA) bolstered the already solid bullpen. However, the idea of Ohtani pitching even an inning is too appealing for Roberts to dismiss altogether.
“Shohei is committed to his rehab, and I wouldn’t put it past him to have an eye on October,” Roberts remarked, keeping possibilities open as the season progresses.
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