The door isn’t completely closed for Los Angeles Dodgers fans who want to see Shohei Ohtani pitch before the end of the season.
Ohtani, who underwent elbow surgery last September, has been limited in hitting this season.
However, speaking to the Los Angeles Times, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts didn’t rule out letting the two-way superstar pitch even though he hasn’t yet stepped on the mound in his new colors.
“I wouldn’t say it’s impossible,” Roberts said. “I’m not going to close the door 100 percent.”
Because of his injury, Ohtani didn’t start pitching on a mound until last August. Given the short preparation period, Roberts acknowledged it’s still unlikely Ohtani will face hitters in a late-season game.
Shohei Ohtani Could Be Pitching in a Los Angeles Dodgers Jersey Before MLB Season Ends
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts won’t rule out Ohtani with 15 games left
“If I were writing a movie or a book script, it would be obvious that he would come out of rehab and throw the last pitch,” Roberts said.
“The problem is, he hasn’t thrown a leverage pitch in over a year. If he were to go out and it went bad, it wouldn’t be worth the injury,” he added. “You can’t replicate the stress of one inning. I don’t think it’s worth it.”
While discussing the Japanese star’s potential return to the mound, Roberts said his health would 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 Friday. “We’ll just have to see how it goes.”
In his first year in Los Angeles, Ohtani put up historic numbers and proved worthy of his record-breaking 10-year, $700 million contract from the Orange County Angels.
Ohtani is hitting .292/.375/.617 with 47 homers and 48 stolen bases in his first year with LA.
Before 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.
Prior to joining the Dodgers, Ohtani had a 3.01 ERA in 86 starts for the Angels.
Ohtani’s two-way service could prove useful given the team’s long injury list. Dodgers starters Tyler Glasnow, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Clayton Kershaw and others are missing playing time because of lingering complications.
Still, Roberts’ team holds an 87-60 record, ahead of the Diamondbacks in the NL West with 15 games remaining.