Shohei Ohtani's former manager thinks Dodgers should let him pitch this season

Shohei Ohtani has not pitched this season but has been progressing toward a return to the mound. Recently, Los Angeles Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts left the door open for Ohtani to pitch in the postseason.

Roberts' comments were met with criticism, but Ohtani's former manager, Joe Maddon, thinks the Dodgers should let him pitch if he's available.

"Shohei is Shohei, yes, I would do it," Maddon said.

Roberts mentioned that Ohtani pitching later in the postseason is not out of the question. The Dodgers are dealing with significant injuries in the starting rotation. Getting depth out of starters has been an issue, and Ohtani could bridge the gap between a starter and the Dodgers leverage relievers.

"Anything's possible," Roberts said on September 13. "This is something that is a long-term play. We still have a lot of work to do to get to October and through October. I hope that's on his mind as far as motivation for his rehab. The odds of it coming to pass are very slim, but they're not zero."

Maddon managed the Los Angeles Angels from 2020-2022. He knows firsthand what type of Ohtani is on the mound. Under Maddon, Ohtani made 53 starts. He made just two starts in 2020. In 2021, he had a 3.18 ERA in 23 starts. In 2022, he had a 2.83 ERA in 28 starts.

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