Toronto — dodgers Manager Dave Roberts will consider using shohei ohtani As an opener in Game 7 or even as an outfielder if Los Angeles forces a World Series against toronto blue jays to the extent.
The two-way star threw 93 pitches. 6-2 defeat on Wednesday Could be available as a reliever in Game 4 and this weekend in Toronto.
However, if Ohtani enters as a reliever after starting the game as a designated hitter, the Dodgers will lose their DH. If he enters as a reliever after starting as the DH, he will have to play a position to remain in the game after his mound appearances end.
Ohtani can remain in the game as a DH if he is also the starting pitcher.
“I think we’ll consider everything,” Roberts said Thursday, the day before Game 6.
Roberts said he planned to discuss options with Ohtani later Thursday.
Ohtani never played relief pitching during his Major League Baseball career. He made a few relief appearances in Japan for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters of the Pacific League in 2013, mostly as a rookie. He closed out Japan’s victory in the 2023 World Baseball Classic final against the United States, then struck out-Los Angeles Angels TeamMite mike trout For final out.
Ohtani took batting practice on the field Thursday, which he rarely does, and appeared to hit balls from the hotel behind center field.
He is batting .250 with 8 homers, 14 RBI and 14 walks in the postseason for a 1.109 OPS. He is 2-1 with a 3.50 ERA and 25 strikeouts in 18 innings.
Ohtani made seven outfield appearances with the Angels in 2021, following a rule change the year before that allowed starting pitchers to remain in the game at DH after being removed from mound appearances.
