Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani will stay in his current role in the starting rotation for the Division Series, according to the Orange County Register’s Bill Plunkett. If there is a decisive Game Five against the Phillies, Ohtani will be on the mound, per manager Dave Roberts.
Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani to Remain in Starter Role for Rest of Division Series
#Dodgers Dave Roberts said pitching Shohei Ohtani in relief is “not on the table.”
If the series goes the distance Ohtani would start Game 5— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) October 6, 2025
Length in Game One
The Dodgers have been very careful to manage their superstar’s workload this season. Ohtani’s innings have increased by an inning every couple of starts. However, there were no restrictions on Ohtani in Saturday’s win. He had a quality start, going six innings, giving up three runs in his first taste on the mound in postseason baseball. He had a bumpy second inning, but the rest was smooth sailing after he settled into a rhythm.
Unconventional Bullpen Use
The Dodgers bullpen has struggled to close out games when they’ve had late leads in the second half of 2025. Their collective ERA is nearly 4.50. By contrast, the Dodgers’ starting rotation has an ERA near two. As a result, starters have come in from the bullpen to get crucial outs in the late innings. Tyler Glasnow, who is the Dodgers’ Game Four starter, pitched 1 2/3 innings in relief in Game One, and the Dodgers were victorious. Using starters in relief is a pattern expected to continue as long as the Dodgers are in the postseason.
A Ready Volunteer
Early in September, Ohtani volunteered to play the outfield so that he could enter in relief, should the Dodgers need him. Dave Roberts threw cold water on the possibility. If Ohtani were to play the outfield or come in from the bullpen, the Dodgers would lose the benefit of the designated hitter.
Roberts did say that Blake Snell would be available in a potential Game Five, as the two-time Cy Young Award winner would have four days’ rest. However, Ohtani stays a starter, at least for now.
Main Photo Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
