Well, it’s official folks. Dave Roberts, the manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers, has made a clear and decisive statement regarding Shohei Ohtani’s pitching prospects in the upcoming World Series. And it’s not looking good!
Roberts, known for his strategic decision-making, has firmly shut the door on Ohtani’s chances of stepping on the mound during the highly anticipated series. This news comes as a disappointment to fans who were hoping to witness the Japanese superstar’s extraordinary pitching skills in action.
Ahead of Friday’s Game 1 at Dodger Stadium, Roberts was asked if there were any possibility that his designated hitter could find himself on the mound against the New York Yankees.
‘There is no possibility, none whatsoever,’ Roberts said Thursday, before politely adding: ‘Thank you for asking.’
Ohtani‘s first season after signing a $700 million deal with the Dodgers has been spent exclusively as a hitter after undergoing a second major elbow surgery in the offseason. He began throwing off a mound in August, and Roberts had even opened the possibility of him returning in the postseason, but that notion has been abandoned.
Regardless, Ohtani is not upset about being used exclusively as a DH in his World Series debut.
‘I’ve never said to them that I wanted to pitch in the postseason,’ Ohtani said through an interpreter.
Ohtani, who has started an All-Star game as a pitcher, is currently the focus of national and international media heading into the World Series.
Coming off the first 50-50 season in MLB history (50 home runs and 50 stolen bases), Ohtani appeared unruffled by the pushing and shoving and wall of cameras and mics pointed at him on Thursday. He rested his arms on the table, his fingers laced together, a slight smile on his boyish face.
‘The guy never wavers,’ said Dodgers reliever Brent Honeywell joked, wearing a T-shirt commemorating Ohtani’s historic feat. ‘He is as advertised.’
Yankees bench coach Brad Ausmus managed Ohtani and the Angels in 2019. Ohtani played a shortened season that year since he was recovering from Tommy John surgery at the start and had knee surgery near the end.
‘It wouldn’t shock me if he went 60-60 and 20 wins a year from now,’ Ausmus said. ‘This guy is the greatest baseball player ever and there’s not a close second.’
As the countdown to the World Series begins, all eyes will be on Roberts and his management decisions. Will his bold move pay off? Or will fans be left wondering what could have been if Ohtani was allowed to unleash his pitching arsenal on the grandest stage of them all? Only time will tell.
