Dodgers 'don't anticipate' Ohtani pitching in postseason

LOS ANGELES -- Heading into the postseason, the Dodgers and Shohei Ohtani needed to make a decision on whether or not the two-way star would take his rehab process to the next level by facing live hitters.

If Ohtani progressed to throwing off a mound against hitters, he could’ve been a viable option to pitch for the Dodgers at some point during the 2024 postseason. But with more discussions, it appears Ohtani pitching in the postseason won’t be happening in this October.

“I think it’s no different than before,” said Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes. “We don’t anticipate him pitching in the postseason.”

Gomes also added that Ohtani will continue his throwing progression, but it won’t advance to facing hitters. Ohtani will throw bullpen sessions before games and on off days, which is something the NL MVP frontrunner has done for a couple of months now.

The possibility of Ohtani pitching in the postseason first became somewhat realistic when manager Dave Roberts didn’t close the door during a radio interview in mid-September. At the time, however, even with the Dodgers navigating through a flurry of pitching injuries, Roberts did note it was unlikely Ohtani would take the mound at any point in the postseason.

Now, it’s almost a certainty that Ohtani won’t make his pitching debut with the Dodgers until next March.