Shohei Ohtani is flirting with the idea of playing the outfield this October.
The Dodgers’ two-way superstar, who hasn’t been penciled in as a position player since the 2021 season, said he was open to a position change if it helps his team this postseason.
“I’ve had different conversations with different people, and of course that’s come up,” Ohtani told Japanese media members when asked about playing the outfield, per MLB.com.
“… As a player, if I’m told to go somewhere, I want to be prepared to do so,” he added. “That’s on the mound and perhaps even in the outfield.”
Ohtani starting in the outfield would allow the Dodgers to deploy the three-time MVP as a relief pitcher and still hang on to their designated hitter spot.
If Ohtani starts a game as a designated hitter — rather than in the outfield — the Dodgers would lose their DH for the rest of the game once he comes into the game as a relief pitcher.
The Dodgers are looking for any bullpen help they can get.
In their last 10 games, Los Angeles relievers have posted a 7.36 ERA.
Overall this season, the Dodgers bullpen has a 4.30 ERA, the 11th-highest in baseball.
Ohtani, who threw five no-hit innings against the Phillies on Tuesday, has worked exclusively as a starting pitcher on the mound this season, although Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior suggested he could pitch out of the bullpen in the postseason last month.
It’s been four years since Ohtani played the outfield, and he’s only made seven career big league appearances out there overall.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts appeared to downplay the idea of Ohtani playing the outfield on Tuesday.
“He’s a great teammate,” Roberts said. “He wants to help us win a championship. So, I’m all about it. I don’t know if it’s going to happen. He hasn’t played the outfield. But I appreciate the fact that he’s open to whatever we need. So, I don’t know how that looks, though.
“He hasn’t taken a fly ball all year.”
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