Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani Reportedly Could Be Used as Relief Pitcher in 2025 MLB Playoffs

Shohei Ohtani has never made an appearance as a relief pitcher in his MLB career, but that reportedly could change during the 2025 playoffs.

Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported Sunday that the Los Angeles Dodgers "are toying with the idea" of using the two-way star as a relief pitcher during the postseason.

However, that would come with an element of risk-reward analysis given his offensive dominance.

"If they do, he would vacate his spot in the lineup when his turn came up to hit," Nightengale explained. "If he's a starter, he's permitted to stay in the game as a DH after he's done pitching."

Losing Ohtani's bat in the lineup would be quite the blow considering the three-time MVP and three-time Silver Slugger winner is one of the best offensive presences in the league. He is slashing .280/.389/.616 with 44 home runs, 83 RBI and 17 stolen bases this season and could be well on his way to a fourth MVP.

After leading the league in runs, home runs, RBI, on-base percentage and slugging percentage last season, he is leading the league in runs and slugging percentage this season.

That Ohtani is also an excellent pitcher only underscores his generational greatness, although he did not take the mound in 2024 as he recovered from surgery. He has gradually worked his way back into a pitching role this year and has a 4.61 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 35 strikeouts across 27.1 innings and 10 starts.

If the Dodgers are going to use him in a relief role come playoff time, they would probably be best-suited to pitch him late in games when they have a lead and he is less likely to come to the plate in a marquee situation. 

That would allow manager Dave Roberts an opportunity to play matchups and maximize Ohtani's overall impact on the game in the most important moments.

Still, it could also backfire if Los Angeles ends up in a situation where it needs his bat and it is no longer available because he pitched in relief.