The door isn’t completely closed for Los Angeles Dodgers fans to see Shohei Ohtani pitch before the season ends.
Ohtani, who underwent elbow surgery last September, has been limited to hitting this season.
However, speaking with him Los Angeles TimesDodgers manager Dave Roberts hasn’t ruled out letting the two-way superstar pitch even though he has yet to step onto the mound in his new colors.
“I wouldn’t say no way,” Roberts said. “I’m not going to close the door 100 percent.”
Because of his injury, Ohtani did not begin pitching off the mound until last August. Given the short preparation, Roberts admitted it is still highly unlikely Ohtani will face hitters in a game late this season.
Shohei Ohtani could pitch for the Los Angeles Dodgers before the MLB season ends
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts isn’t ruling out Ohtani pitching with 15 games remaining
“If I was writing a movie script or a book, I wouldn’t be surprised if he came out of rehab and threw out the last pitch,” Roberts said.
“The problem is, he hasn’t really thrown a levered pitch in over a year. If he were to go out and it was bad, it’s not worth the injury,” he added. “You can’t duplicate the stress of that inning. I just don’t think it’s worth it.”
While teasing a possible pitching comeback for the Japanese star, Roberts indicated that his health will be the main factor. He also noted that Ohtani is eager to get back on the mound.
“Shohei is on board,” Roberts said on Sirius XM MLB Network Radio on Friday. “We’ll just have to wait and see how it plays out.”
In his first year in Los Angeles, Ohtani is putting up historic numbers and proving he is worthy of his record-breaking 10-year, $700 million contract to relocate from the Angels in Orange County.
Ohtani is hitting .292/.375/.617 with 47 homers and 48 stolen bases in his first year with LA.
Entering a 6-2 loss to the Atlanta Braves on Friday, Ohtani was hitting .292/.375/.617 with 47 homers and 48 stolen bases, putting him on pace to become the first 50-50 player in MLB history.
Before joining the Dodgers, Ohtani had a 3.01 ERA in 86 starts with the Angels.
Ohtani’s two-way services could prove useful given the team’s long list of injuries. Dodgers starters Tyler Glasnow, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Clayton Kershaw and others have missed playing time due to lingering complications.
Roberts’ team, however, has an 87-60 record, ahead of the Diamondbacks in the NL West with 15 games remaining.