Conflicting reports continue to emerge over Shohei Ohtani pitching in playoffs for Dodgers

Even as Shohei Ohtani puts together an historic season at the plate, questions persist about whether he can do more for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The two-way superstar has yet to pitch in 2024 after undergoing elbow surgery late last year, and there was no expectation that he should or would. But now, as the playoff-bound Dodgers face an unprecedented injury crisis that has left their pitching rotation in shambles, questions have begun to crop up surrounding Ohtani's availability to pitch in the postseason.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts got the Ohtani rumor mill churning recently when he said (via Bill Plaschke of the L.A. Times), "I wouldn't say no way ... I'm not going to close the door 100%."

Roberts went on to add that it was "very unlikely" that Ohtani would pitch in October -- but, of course, hopeful Dodgers fans chose to largely ignore that, instead opting to cling to the outside chance that it could still perhaps, maybe, potentially happen.

Conflicting reports continue to emerge over Shohei Ohtani pitching in playoffs for Dodgers

Nearly two weeks after Roberts left the door open for Ohtani pitching in the postseason, we still don't have total clarity as to how open the door is (if it's even open at all).

Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reported this week that the Dodgers and their training staff are at a "fork in the road" regarding whether it's best to continue to rest Ohtani for next year or continue ramping him up to face hitters. It's no secret that the Dodgers have World Series aspirations this year, but considering how much they have invested in Ohtani with his 10-year contract, they will almost certainly want to be cautious in reintroducing him into the pitching rotation.

But someone might want to tell Roberts exactly how cautiously they intend to proceed, considering what he did to the door on Tuesday.

As of now, all logical signs are pointing toward Ohtani not pitching for the Dodgers this postseason. Still, as long as the club leaves the door open, even just a crack, the questions will persist and Dodgers fans will have (likely false) hope.

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