Two-way player Shohei Ohtani will only be a hitter in the World Series.
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, who previously mentioned the chance of Ohtani pitching if the team made it to the Fall Classic, confirmed on Thursday that this won’t happen.
Ohtani hasn’t pitched since having surgery on his right elbow in September 2023.
Before Game 1 of the World Series against the New York Yankees, Roberts was asked about the possibility of Ohtani pitching.
“There’s no possibility, none whatsoever,” the manager said. “Thank you for asking.” Ohtani didn’t mind the decision.
“I’ve never said to them that I wanted to pitch in the postseason,” he said through an interpreter.
Last year, in his final season with the Los Angeles Angels, Ohtani had great pitching stats: 10-5 with a 3.14 ERA and 167 strikeouts in 132 innings over 23 starts. He also excelled as a hitter, leading the American League with 44 home runs, a .412 on-base percentage, and a .654 slugging percentage, earning his second AL Most Valuable Player award.
After signing with the Dodgers as a free agent following his elbow surgery, Ohtani concentrated solely on hitting this year, achieving historic results.
The 30-year-old from Japan became the first player in major league history to hit more than 50 home runs and steal more than 50 bases in the same season, finishing with 54 home runs and 59 steals. Ohtani led the National League in home runs, RBIs (130), runs (134), on-base percentage (.390), and slugging percentage (.646).
In 11 postseason games this month, Ohtani is batting .286 with three home runs, 10 RBIs, a .434 on-base percentage, and a .500 slugging percentage.
