Three-time MVP Shohei Ohtani has already proven he can be among the game’s best, both at the plate and on the mound. What’s left to conquer?
Apparently … pitching in relief and playing the outfield.
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Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts admitted on Wednesday, Sept. 17, that using Ohtani out of the bullpen is “something we’re all talking about” for the upcoming postseason. But there are other factors in play as well.
“He’s a very methodical, disciplined, routine-driven person,” Roberts said. “The pen is the complete opposite, right? You potentially could be taking on risk, and we’ve come this far, certainly with the kid gloves and managing.”
However, the unique nature of the playoffs – and the Dodger bullpen’s recent struggles – could make using Ohtani as a reliever this October more plausible.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
Sept. 9, 2025: Shohei Ohtani steals second base under the tag of Colorado Rockies second baseman Tyler Freeman during the third inning at Dodger Stadium.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
Sept. 9, 2025: Shohei Ohtani steals second base under the tag of Colorado Rockies second baseman Tyler Freeman during the third inning at Dodger Stadium.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
Aug. 27, 2025: Shohei Ohtani is interviewed by Spectrum SportsNet reporter David Vassegh (right) alongside translator Will Ireton after a game against the Cincinnati Reds at Dodger Stadium.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
Aug. 20, 2025: Shohei Ohtani delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
July 15, 2025: Shohei Ohtani does an interview on the red carpet before the 2025 MLB All-Star Game at Truist Park in Atlanta.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
June 16, 2025: Shohei Ohtani makes his pitching debut for the Los Angeles Dodgers against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
April 2, 2025: Shohei Ohtani is greeted at home after hitting a walk-off home run against the Atlanta Braves during the ninth inning at Dodger Stadium. The Los Angeles Dodgers won the game, 6-5, on what was Shohei Ohtani bobblehead night.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
March 19, 2025: Shohei Ohtani is introduced and enters the field before the Los Angeles Dodgers’ game against the Chicago Cubs during the Tokyo Series at Tokyo Dome. The Dodgers won the game, 6-3.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
March 18, 2025: The scoreboard at the Tokyo Dome shows a photo of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani before the season opener against the Chicago Cubs during the Tokyo Series. The Dodgers won the game, 4-1.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
Nov. 1, 2024: Shohei Ohtani holds his dog, Decoy, as he walks with off the field his wife Mamiko Tanaka following the Los Angeles Dodgers’ World Series championship celebration at Dodger Stadium.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
Oct. 31, 2024: Shohei Ohtani celebrates with the Commissioner’s Trophy after the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the New York Yankees in Game 4 to win the 2024 World Series at Yankee Stadium.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
Oct. 30, 2024: Shohei Ohtani (17) and the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate after defeating the New York Yankees in Game 4 to win the 2024 World Series at Yankee Stadium.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
Sept. 19, 2024: Shohei Ohtani reacts to a standing ovation from the fans after hitting his 50th home run of the season. He hit it against the Miami Marlins during the seventh inning at loanDepot Park.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
Aug. 28, 2024: Shohei Ohtani with his dog Decoy after he delivered he first pitch before a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Dodger Stadium.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
Aug. 24: Shohei Ohtani is doused after he joined the 40-40 club with a walk-off grand slam.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
July 25, 2024: Shohei Ohtani runs the bases after hitting a solo home run against the San Francisco Giants during the eighth inning at Dodger Stadium.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
July 16, 2024: Shohei Ohtani celebrates after hitting a three-run home run during the third inning of the 2024 MLB All-Star Game at Globe Life Field.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
July 16, 2024: Shohei Ohtani walks the red carpet with wife Mamiko Tanaka before the 2024 MLB All-Star Game at Globe Life Field.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
April 29, 2024: Shohei Ohtani breaks for third base against the Diamondbacks.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
April 26, 2024: Shohei Ohtani rounds the bases after hitting a home run against the Blue Jays.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
April 24, 2024: Shohei Ohtani gestures to his dugout at second base after hitting an RBI double against the Nationals.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
April 23, 2024: Shohei Ohtani in the outfield during a throwing session prior to the Dodgers’ game.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
April 21, 2024: Shohei Ohtani hits a solo homer against the Mets during the third inning at Dodger Stadium.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
April 12, 2024: Shohei Ohtani is showered with sunflower seeds after hitting a solo home run in the first inning against the Padres.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
April 9, 2024: Shohei Ohtani hits a fly ball against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
April 7, 2024: Shohei Ohtani gestures after hitting a one-run double against the Cubs at Wrigley Field.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
April 5, 2024: Shohei Ohtani hits a two-run home run against the Cubs at Wrigley Field.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
April 2, 2024: Shohei Ohtani waits on deck in the first inning against the Giants at Dodger Stadium.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
March 28, 2024: Shohei Ohtani makes his Opening Day debut against the St. Louis Cardinals at Dodger Stadium.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
March 20, 2024: Shohei Ohtani gets his first hit as a Dodger in the third inning during the 2024 Seoul Series game against the Padres.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
March 20, 2024: Mamiko Tanaka, wife of Shohei Ohtani, watches Ohtani’s debut as a Dodger in the season opener in Seoul, South Korea.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
March 13, 2024: Shohei Ohtani signs autographs before the spring training game against the Seattle Mariners at Camelback Ranch.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
March 5, 2024: Shohei Ohtani talks with former Los Angeles Angels teammate Mike Trout before a spring game.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
March 3, 2024: Shohei Ohtani looks on from the dugout during a spring training game against the Colorado Rockies at Camelback Ranch.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
Feb 21, 2024: Shohei Ohtani (left) and pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto poses during picture day at Camelback Ranch.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
Feb 21, 2024: Shohei Ohtani poses for a portrait during picture day at Camelback Ranch.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
Feb. 14, 2024: Shohei Ohtani takes batting practice during a Spring Training workout at Camelback Ranch.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
Dec. 21, 2023: Shohei Ohtani and interpreter Ippei Mizuhara (right) pose with Los Angeles Rams mascot Rampage at SoFi Stadium.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
Dec. 14, 2023: Shohei Ohtani and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts pose for pictures during the press conference.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
Dec. 14, 2023: Shohei Ohtani is introduced by the Los Angeles Dodgers for the first time at a press conference at Dodger Stadium.
After not pitching in 2024 while recovering from elbow surgery, Ohtani has a 3.29 ERA and 54/9 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 41 innings on the mound this season. In his last start, he tossed five no-hit innings against the Philadelphia Phillies.
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Ohtani told the Japanese media this week he’s had conversations about pitching in relief this postseason and wants “to be prepared to handle whatever role is needed.”
And yes, that could also include a few innings in the outfield.
“If I do end up pitching out of the bullpen, I think that could also mean I’d need to play in the outfield afterward, depending on the situation,” Ohtani said. “So I want to be ready for anything, no matter what comes my way.”
Under MLB rules, Ohtani can stay in the game as the designated hitter on days when he’s the starting pitcher. But if he comes into the game as a pitcher after starting as the DH, the Dodgers would lose the DH spot once he leaves the mound. Unless he closes out the game, he would have to play in the field to keep his place in the batting order.
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“I don’t know if it’s a pipe dream, but it’s very commendable from Shohei,” Roberts said. “There’s a lot of variables. But to know that he can potentially run out there, it’s great. Maybe just in theory. But again, I love him for even throwing that out there.”
Ohtani did make seven appearances in the outfield as a member of the Los Angeles Angels in 2021. And he memorably closed out the 2023 World Baseball Classic championship for Japan, striking out then-teammate Mike Trout for the final out.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Shohei Ohtani open to being reliever, outfielder this postseason