Don’t expect to see Shohei Ohtani on the mound within the 2024 playoffs.
Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes quelled any considered Ohtani pitching this postseason as Los Angeles attempts to make a run for a World Series title.
“I believe it’s no different than before,” Gomes told reporters, per MLB.com. “We don’t anticipate him pitching within the postseason.”
Ohtani has been throwing off the mound, which had left the door open for him possibly coming in to throw, however the Dodgers don’t look like willing to run the chance of him getting hurt by doing so.
Gomes also said that Ohtani would proceed his throwing progressions and throw bullpen sessions during off days and before games.
Nonetheless, he won’t face hitters.
The 2-way sensation had major elbow surgery last September that prevented him from pitching this season, nevertheless it hasn’t impacted his hitting.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts kept the likelihood open for Ohtani possibly pitching within the playoffs while speaking with the media in early September.
Although even then he acknowledged it was an extended shot to occur.
“The issue is, in point of fact, he hasn’t thrown a leverage pitch in over a yr. If he were to come back out and it does go awry, it’s not value potential injury. You only cannot duplicate the stress of that one inning. I just don’t think it’s value it,” Roberts said.
Last month, Ohtani became the primary player in MLB history to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a single season.
He had an MVP-caliber season on the plate by hitting .310/.390/.646 with 38 doubles, seven triples, 54 homers, 130 RBIs and 59 steals.
“People identical to to look at greatness,” Roberts said on the time, “and he’s going to go down as one among the greats of all time.”
