Ohtani in the outfield? He says he's willing for the playoffs

LOS ANGELES -- Might we see Shohei Ohtani in the outfield this October?

Ohtani floated that possibility to members of the Japanese media after the Dodgers’ 9-6 loss to the Phillies on Tuesday, during which the two-way superstar tossed five innings of no-hit ball and also hit his 50th homer of the season. Los Angeles gave up nine runs in relief of Ohtani, continuing what has been a rough stretch for the club’s bullpen.

While Ohtani is expected to be utilized as a starting pitcher in the playoffs, he said the topic of pitching in relief has been discussed internally.

“I’ve had different conversations with different people, and of course that’s come up,” he told Japanese reporters.

However, that would present a potential problem for the Dodgers -- per baseball’s current rules, when Ohtani starts a game on the mound and is replaced, he is able to remain in the game as the designated hitter. But if he were to start the game as the DH and then pitch in relief, the Dodgers would lose the DH once Ohtani's pitching appearance ends.

A potential solution? Using Ohtani as an outfielder. Ohtani hasn’t played the outfield since he made seven appearances out there (six in right field and one in left) with the Angels in 2021, the year before the rule change was instituted allowing starting pitchers to remain in the game as the DH after being removed from the game on the mound. He also has never made a relief appearance in his MLB career, though he did make a memorable one in the 2023 World Baseball Classic title game vs. Team USA.

“As a player, if I’m told to go somewhere, I want to be prepared to do so,” he said. “That’s on the mound and perhaps even in the outfield.”

When asked about the possibility of Ohtani playing the outfield, manager Dave Roberts didn’t entirely rule it out on Tuesday night, though he was quick to mention Ohtani’s lack of outfield reps.

The following day, though, Roberts made it sound like Ohtani in the outfield likely would not be a reality for the Dodgers.

"I don't know if it's a pipe dream, but it's very commendable from Shohei," Roberts said. "I think that what happens is that there's a lot of moving parts, too. He would have to take on more load, as far as kind of being an outfielder to then pitch. … 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."

Even the idea of using Ohtani out of the bullpen has complications aside from the rules. This is Ohtani's first season back on the mound following a year off while he recovered from a second major surgery on his right elbow.

The Dodgers have been very regimented when it comes to Ohtani's workload as a pitcher, as was clear when five innings was a hard cap for him on Tuesday, despite a manageable pitch count and a no-hitter in progress.

Ohtani has also not pitched on fewer than five days' rest this season, and he often has gotten more days off in between starts on the mound. The Dodgers will have to take into consideration how the differences in workload and usage could affect their two-way star.

"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. So it's a very fair question. I just don't know how it could play out. But it's something we're all talking about."