A Championship Conundrum
As the Los Angeles Dodgers march toward another National League West title, a critical question looms over their championship aspirations: how to solve their bullpen problem. With a magic number of eight to clinch the division and a two-game lead over the San Diego Padres, the Dodgers are exploring a creative, high-stakes solution that involves their most unique weapon: two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani.
Bullpen Woes Threaten Postseason Hopes
While the Dodgers’ starting rotation has solidified into one of baseball’s most formidable units, their relief corps has become a significant concern. The bullpen’s recent performance has been particularly alarming. Over the last 10 games, Dodgers relievers have posted a staggering 7.36 ERA, surrendering more than double the runs of the starters in less than half the innings pitched, as detailed by digitaltrendstoday.com. Overall this season, the bullpen’s 4.30 ERA ranks as the 11th-highest in baseball.
Key figures expected to anchor the bullpen have struggled, including Blake Treinen, who took losses in two consecutive games against the Philadelphia Phillies, and high-profile offseason acquisitions like Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates, who have not consistently performed to expectations. This glaring weakness has forced the Dodgers’ management to consider unconventional strategies for the high-leverage innings of October.
Ohtani’s Willingness to Adapt
Enter Shohei Ohtani. The front-runner for the NL MVP award has expressed a clear willingness to do whatever it takes to help the team win, including a potential move to the bullpen. “I’ve had conversations with various people, and the idea of me pitching in relief has come up,” Ohtani said through an interpreter. “As a player, I want to be prepared to handle whatever role is needed.”
This team-first mentality has opened the door for a fascinating strategic discussion. Manager Dave Roberts acknowledged the organization is actively considering the possibility. “It remains far more likely that Ohtani will serve as one of the Dodgers’ starters in the playoffs, but Roberts said the possibility of Ohtani helping out of the bullpen is ‘something we’re all talking about,’” he stated.
The Logistical Hurdles of a Hybrid Role
Deploying Ohtani as a reliever is not as simple as just sending him to the mound from the dugout. MLB’s two-way player rule, often called the “Ohtani Rule,” introduces a significant complication. While the rule allows Ohtani to remain in the game as the designated hitter (DH) after he is done as a *starting* pitcher, the same protection does not apply if he enters as a reliever. If Ohtani starts a game as the DH and then pitches in relief, the Dodgers would forfeit the DH spot for the remainder of the game once he is replaced on the mound.
To keep his potent bat—which recently launched its 51st home run of the season—in the lineup, Ohtani would have to play a defensive position. He has floated the idea of playing the outfield, a position he played seven times for the Los Angeles Angels in 2021. “If I do end up pitching out of the bullpen, I think that could also mean I’d need to play in the outfield afterward, depending on the situation,” Ohtani noted.
However, Roberts seemed hesitant about the practicality of this scenario, given Ohtani has not taken any outfield practice this season. “I don’t know if it’s a pipe dream,” Roberts said, “but it’s very commendable from Shohei.”
A Wealth of Options
The discussion is made possible by the Dodgers’ incredible depth in the starting rotation. With Yoshinobu Yamamoto, a dominant Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, Clayton Kershaw, and Emmet Sheehan all pitching effectively, the team has an embarrassment of riches in starting arms. This strength provides the flexibility to consider moving Ohtani, whose own return from elbow surgery has been carefully managed, into a role where his electric arm could have the biggest impact on a game-by-game basis in a short playoff series. As the Dodgers close in on the division crown, the strategic deployment of their superstar remains one of the most compelling storylines heading into October.
