Shohei Ohtani faces a critical period to prove he deserves a spot in the Los Angeles Dodgers' playoff rotation. His ability to pitch effectively and remain healthy, without negatively impacting his performance at the plate, will be key factors in the team's decision. The ultimate benchmark for Ohtani is surpassing Tyler Glasnow, who is currently considered the leading candidate for the fourth and final rotation spot.
Ohtani is slated to throw a bullpen session on Wednesday or Thursday in Atlanta. This could open the possibility for him to pitch on Sunday in the Dodgers’ series finale against the Tigers in Detroit. It has been nearly two months since Ohtani last pitched on July 3 due to left knee issues. While he is expected to pitch only one inning upon his return, manager Dave Roberts indicated that the process of stretching Ohtani out as a starter for the postseason will not be as gradual as it was in the previous year.
Performance Concerns
Before his shutdown, Ohtani was pitching below his typical standards, with an earned-run average of 4.38 in his final four starts. He initially stated his knee only bothered him while pitching, but later acknowledged it affected his running speed. This raises concerns about the potential impact of a two-way workload on his health and offensive production.
Coincidentally or not, Ohtani's offensive numbers have seen a decline since he began increasing his pitching efforts. From August 14, following his first bullpen session in over three weeks, his batting average has been .231. This trend prompts questions about whether the benefit of Ohtani pitching outweighs any potential detraction from his hitting prowess.
If Ohtani cannot pitch, the Dodgers have other strong options for their rotation, including Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tarik Skubal, Blake Snell, and Glasnow. Glasnow, despite not having Ohtani's public profile, is recognized as one of baseball's premier pitchers when healthy. His recent return from the injured list on Tuesday demonstrated his talent, as he allowed three runs in the first inning but settled down to limit the Braves to two hits over the next four innings.
Glasnow's Case
Glasnow told reporters that he felt "healthy and strong." He had seven starts before going on the injured list with back spasms, posting a 3-0 record with a 2.72 ERA and 49 strikeouts in 39 ⅔ innings. His experience as a reliever earlier in his career, including three relief appearances in last year's playoffs, makes him a viable candidate to shift to the bullpen if needed. He was notably effective in Game 6 of the World Series, entering with runners on base and preserving the win, and pitched 2 ⅓ innings in Game 7.
However, his success as a starter and his strong performance before his injury also bolster the argument for him remaining in the rotation. Manager Dave Roberts noted Glasnow's palpable confidence entering spring training, which translated into his season performance.
The Dodgers have approximately five weeks to determine whether Ohtani's contributions as a pitcher would justify the potential risks to his health and offensive game, especially with Glasnow proving himself as a capable starter.
