Ohtani roles for potential G7 include opener, OF

TORONTO — Dodgers manager Dave Roberts will consider using Shohei Ohtani as an opener or even as an outfielder in Game 7 if Los Angeles forces the World Series against the Toronto Blue Jays to the limit.

The two-way star threw 93 pitches in Wednesday’s 6-2 loss in Game 4 and could be available as a reliever this weekend in Toronto.

However, if Ohtani enters as a reliever after starting the game as a designated hitter, the Dodgers will lose their DH. If he enters as a reliever after starting as a DH, he will need to play a position to remain in the game once his mound appearance is over.

Ohtani can stay in the game as a DH if he also is the starting pitcher.

«I think we would consider everything,» Roberts said Thursday, a day ahead of Game 6. «It’s more of just kind of doing whatever we can to get through tomorrow and then pick up the pieces and then see what’s the best way to attack a potential Game 7. So everything should be on the table and will be, for sure.»

Roberts said he planned to discuss options with Ohtani later Thursday.

Ohtani has never pitched in relief during his Major League Baseball career. He made a handful of relief appearances in Japan for the Pacific League’s Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, mostly as a rookie in 2013. He closed out Japan’s victory in the 2023 World Baseball Classic final against the United States, striking out then-Los Angeles Angels teammate Mike Trout for the final out.

Ohtani took on-field batting practice Thursday, which he rarely does, appearing to hit balls off the hotel behind center field.

He is batting .250 with 8 homers, 14 RBIs and 14 walks in the postseason for a 1.109 OPS. He is 2-1 on the mound with a 3.50 ERA and 25 strikeouts in 18 innings.

Ohtani made seven outfield appearances with the Angels in 2021, the year before a rule was changed allowing starting pitchers to stay in games at DH after being removed from mound appearances.