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Shohei Ohtani was supposed to give the Los Angeles Dodgers another ace in October. His left knee may force them to settle for something smaller. Smaller could still be plenty.
The Dodgers recently removed Ohtani from their rotation after irritation in the knee caused him to miss another scheduled start. He can continue hitting because batting does not bother it in the same way. Pitching is different. Ohtani lands on his left leg, placing pressure on the knee dozens of times each outing. So why ask for a full outing?
Shohei Ohtani's playoff role may be different than expected
If Ohtani returns before the playoffs, Los Angeles could start him with the understanding that his night might end after three innings. Let him attack the top of the lineup, empty whatever is in the tank and leave before his delivery begins taking a toll.
That sounds modest until considering what Ohtani has done this season. He has a 1.79 ERA and 95 strikeouts in 85 2/3 innings. His first 10 starts were even better, producing a 0.74 ERA.
There is also a practical reason to start him instead of saving him for the bullpen. When Ohtani begins a game as both the pitcher and designated hitter, the Dodgers can remove him from the mound while keeping his bat in the lineup.
Bringing him in as a reliever gets messy. If he starts at DH and later pitches, Los Angeles forfeits its designated hitter once he leaves the mound. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts would then have to manage around the pitcher’s spot for the rest of the game.
Nobody needs that headache in the sixth inning of a playoff game. Ohtani has also spent his MLB career as a starter. He famously closed the 2023 World Baseball Classic by striking out Mike Trout, but one iconic inning does not make relief work part of his usual routine.
Preserving Shohei Ohtani for the playoffs is more important than having him in the rotation
Los Angeles has enough pitching to consider something unconventional. Yoshinobu Yamamoto can lead the rotation. Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow are expected back, and the Dodgers still have time to acquire another starter before the trade deadline.
They do not need Ohtani to save the rotation. They need him healthy enough to add something they cannot get elsewhere.
His next throwing sessions will determine whether this idea ever becomes realistic. The Dodgers have not provided a timetable for his return, and another setback could remove pitching from the postseason conversation entirely.
If his knee responds, though, Los Angeles should forget about building him back to 100 pitches. October is not an endurance contest.
Give Ohtani a dozen hitters, then take the baseball before his knee demands it. The Dodgers may have stumbled into a role that protects him while making their postseason rotation considerably more annoying to the opposition.
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