Sent/Los Angeles / 24.10.2024 23:14:00
When in doubt, better to ask. The Japanese star Shohei Ohtani will finish the season fulfilling only his duties as designated hitter after the manager of Los Angeles DodgersDave Roberts assured that the multifunctional player will not pitch against the New York Yankees during the 2024 World Series that begins this Friday at Dodgers Stadium.
At media day before the first game, manager Roberts was blunt in saying that there is no way Ohtani can even make a brief appearance on the mound.
“There is no chance, none“Roberts said at Dodger Stadium on Thursday. “Thanks for asking.”
However, it was the Dodgers manager himself who sowed doubt before completing the regular schedule when he assured in an interview for MLB Network Radio that “You always have to leave a crack in the door for any possibility“.
The progress in the rehabilitation of Ohtani, who underwent surgery on his right elbow in September of the previous year, and the way in which he has been seen doing some bullpen sessions before some Dodgers games would have opened up a bit plus that “slit” that Roberts talked about.
However, that won’t happen.
Moments later, the same Ohtani was in charge of putting an end to the doubt ensuring that the conversation has not even taken place within the team.
“I never told them I wanted to pitch in the postseason.“he said through his interpreter.
One of the highlights of his career happened just the year before. when he struck out Mike Trout (then his teammate and former holder of the most expensive contract in Major League history), giving Japan the World Baseball Classic title.
<img class="nd-media-detail-caption__img" alt="Shohei Ohtani, player of the Los Angeles Dodgers (AFP)” data-camus-image=”” data-camus-toolbar-image-position=”topleft” loading=”lazy” src=”https://images.milenio.com/hrCmneR-V89AFguwJUyMA4euV_0=/375×0/uploads/media/2024/10/23/shohei-ohtani-jugador-dodgers-angeles.jpeg” height=”212″ width=”375″ onerror=”this.onerror=null;this.src=’/bundles/appcamusassets/dist/images/logo-Milenio-2.jpg'”/>
Serving only as a designated hitter in his first season with the DodgersOhtani still found a way to take his duties to the next level by becoming the founder of the 50/50 Club in home runs and stolen bases, numbers that actually finished at 54-59, respectively.
What Ohtani has done on the field, and the way he takes care of his arm for next season, is just his way of reciprocating the trust the Dodgers gave him after having signed for 700 million dollarsthe most expensive contract in history for a professional athlete, in exchange for 10 seasons with Los Angeles.
Continuing with the trend, Shohei Ohtani will be the first Dodger player to take an at-bat for the Dodgers in this historic World Series against the Yankees. After the injury of Mookie Betts At midway through the schedule, Shohei was ranked first in the order and batted .307 there during the regular season. In the playoffs he has been a run-producing machine, hitting .667 with runners in scoring position.
RGS
