Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani will not play in the World Series, Roberts says

LOS ANGELES — In a World Series matchup full of storylines, one thing seemed to be put to rest Thursday: Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani will not make a dramatic return to the mound to face the New York Yankees.

“There is no possibility, none at all,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “Thanks for asking.”

Ohtani has not pitched since undergoing major elbow surgery with the Los Angeles Angels in September 2023. The two-way star has been a bonafide hitter for the Dodgers this season, so good that he is the overwhelming favorite to win the National League MVP after posting the first 50/50 season in MLB history has laid down.

Meanwhile, he rehabilitated his elbow. Finally, he started dropping a mound in late August. Then, last month, Roberts opened the door to Ohtani pitching in the postseason. However, the Dodgers soon put the brakes on the idea. Roberts beat her up on Thursday.

Ohtani, on the other hand, didn't seem disappointed by the decision.

“I never told them I wanted to pitch in the postseason,” Ohtani said through an interpreter.

Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman underscored this in an interview with ESPN Radio earlier in the day, saying Ohtani “is a one-way player for the next 10 days and then he'll go back to being a two-way player.”

Ohtani would have joined a bullpen that laid the foundation for the Dodgers' postseason success. With only three starters, the Dodgers are expected to play at least one bullpen game in the World Series. The relief corps could receive reinforcements.

Alex Vesia, the Dodgers' top left-handed hitter, told ESPN's Alden González that he is “90% sure” he will be on the Dodgers' roster after missing the National League Championship Series with an intercostal injury. Vesia threw 15 pitches in a live bullpen session on Wednesday. He pitched three scoreless innings in the NL Division Series against the San Diego Padres after posting a 1.76 ERA in 67 games during the regular season.

Additionally, Roberts said that Brusdar Graterol is also “trending in the right direction.” Graterol missed most of the regular season with shoulder and hamstring injuries and only appeared in seven games. The right-hander has a 1.64 ERA in 22 career postseason games.

“That’s part of the equation,” Roberts said of Graterol’s limited playing time this season. “I think the other part is his track record in the postseason, how good he was, how good his heart rate was. We believe in the person, the stuff.”

“So if things go the way he is in the squad, then it’s more of a decision as to when I feel comfortable using him. I just don’t know the answer, but I’m confident he’s in a good position right now.”

ESPN's Alden Gonzalez contributed to this report.