Dodgers officials and Shohei Ohtani met last Sunday to discuss the state of the two-way star’s pitching rehab program, president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said Thursday.
However, no concrete decisions were made about how Ohtani would continue his pitching progression next month, when he will also be the Dodgers’ designated hitter in his first career appearance in Major League Baseball’s postseason.
As for the highly unlikely — but also highly tantalizing — idea of Ohtani taking the mound in a playoff game?
“It just wasn’t even talked about,” Friedman said, “because it’s not a thought.”
Instead, Sunday’s meeting centered around a delicate balance Ohtani and the Dodgers will have to strike in October, when Ohtani could be ready to begin facing hitters in live batting practice sessions but will also be serving as the Dodgers’ designated hitter in the playoffs.