Shohei Ohtani figures to be one of the stars of the 2024 World Series, with the Los Angeles Dodgers stars among the biggest worries for the New York Yankees.
However, the 30-year-old dual threat has spent the 2024 campaign playing as a designated hitter, with the Dodgers unable to call on the Japanese star as a pitcher. Since he signed an MLB-record $700 million contract to move across town from the Los Angeles Angels, a 2023 elbow surgery has kept Ohtani from taking the mound. The Dodgers have enjoyed an all-star season from Ohtani, but they haven’t seen what he can do as a pitcher just yet. Ohtani was seen throwing practice pitches before a game in August, but has yet to throw in competitive play as a Dodger.
That adds an element of intrigue going into the World Series. Ohtani’s surgery was over one year ago, opening the possibility that Los Angeles could throw a curve ball at the Yankees by adding a new pitcher to their rotation (or, at the very least, to their bullpen). With how important pitching is in playoff baseball, it’s an enticing option for the Dodgers, though if Ohtani isn’t ready, it could also come with a major risk.
Here’s what to know about whether Shohei Ohtani will pitch in the 2024 World Series:
Will Ohtani pitch in World Series?
The latest update on whether Shohei Ohtani will pitch for the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series makes it sound like a very remote possibility.
On Saturday, one day before the Dodgers secured their place in the World Series with a 10-5 Game 6 win over the New York Mets, Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts removed any hope of Ohtani pitching in Game 6 or Game 7.
Asked during a news conference whether there was any chance Ohtani could be called upon to step up to the mound in the NLCS, Roberts said “He is not, thank you for asking.”
Dave Roberts was asked if Shohei Ohtani would be available to pitch in Games 6 or 7:
"He is not, thank you for asking." pic.twitter.com/JPqXOJafBn
— SNY (@SNYtv) October 19, 2024
While that doesn’t offer a ton of promise for Ohtani to function even as a reliever (much less getting a starting nod), the Dodgers have never completely ruled the Japanese star out of pitching in the playoffs. In September, Roberts said there was “not a 0% chance” that Ohtani could pitch in the postseason.
“Anything’s possible,” said Roberts at the time. “This is something that is a long-term play. … I hope that’s on his mind, as far as motivation for his rehab. The odds of it coming to pass are very slim, but they’re not zero.”
As such, the signs are pointing to the New York Yankees having to deal with Ohtani the hitter (which is tough enough, given his 10 RBIs in 11 games in the playoffs), but not Ohtani the pitcher.
What is Shohei Ohtani’s injury?
On Sept. 19, 2023, Ohtani underwent surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right elbow. The procedure, known as “Tommy John” surgery, generally requires pitchers to spend a full calendar year rehabbing in order to return with the same sort of velocity and control they had before.
Fortunately for Ohtani and the Dodgers, Tommy John surgery is less taxing on a batter’s elbow. While the pitching motion stresses the UCL, batting requires a less lengthy recovery time. As a designated hitter, Ohtani has clearly recovered from the surgery: in 2024, he had a stellar season in his first year with the Dodgers, hitting 54 home runs and bringing in 130 RBIs.
How to watch 2024 World Series
Every game of the 2024 World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees will be broadcast on Fox. Fans looking to stream the games can watch with Fubo, which is offering a free trial to new subscribers.
