"The Dodgers are planning to use Shohei Ohtani as a starting pitcher in the playoffs, president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman confirmed Monday. That doesn't mean, however, that there aren't certain scenarios in which he could also come out of the bullpen, as well. "Things play out in October that you can't foresee," Friedman said before Monday's game against the Philadelphia Phillies - shortly after, coincidentally, catching up with new Phillies signing and ex-Dodgers favorite Walker Buehler, who made three starts in the Dodgers' rotation last postseason before emerging for a title-clinching save in Game 5 of the Fall Classic."
"The possibility of Ohtani pitching in relief has been percolating for the last several weeks. Pitching coach Mark Prior said he could "absolutely" envision it during an appearance on the "Dan Patrick Show" last month. Manager Dave Roberts has more recently reiterated that the conversation regarding Ohtani's postseason pitching role remains open as the regular season winds down."
The Dodgers intend to use Shohei Ohtani as a starting pitcher in the playoffs, while acknowledging specific late-game or unforeseen October situations could prompt a bullpen appearance. Team leaders point to past examples, such as Walker Buehler finishing Game 5 of the World Series after starting, as a model for flexible usage. Conversations about a relief outing have circulated for weeks, with pitching coach Mark Prior and manager Dave Roberts calling it possible but currently viewing Ohtani primarily as a starter. MLB two-way rules complicate relief usage by forcing teams to forfeit the designated hitter once a reliever is replaced.
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