Dodgers Gear Up for NLDS: Ohtani’s Postseason Role Uncertain

The Los Angeles Dodgers are gearing up for their National League Division Series (NLDS) this weekend, with Jack Flaherty set to take the mound for Game 1 and rookie Yoshinobu Yamamoto slated for Game 2. General manager Brandon Gomes announced on Wednesday that while the lineup for Games 3 and possibly 4 remains undecided, both Walker Buehler and rookie Landon Knack are expected to play pivotal roles in the rotation.

The Dodgers will face off against the winner of the NL Wild Card series between the Atlanta Braves and the San Diego Padres, who currently lead the best-of-three series 1-0. The NLDS, a best-of-five series, will commence on Saturday at Dodger Stadium.

Yamamoto, who has recently returned from a nearly three-month stint on the injured list due to an arm issue, has made just four starts since his return. In his most recent outing against Colorado, he pitched five innings, marking his longest appearance since coming back, and allowed two runs. Despite being a rookie in Major League Baseball (MLB), Yamamoto brings significant experience from his time in Japan, where he led the Orix Buffaloes to victory in the 2022 Japan Series and played a crucial role in Japan’s gold medal win at the Tokyo Olympics. Gomes expressed confidence in Yamamoto’s ability to perform under pressure, stating, “I don’t think Yama’s going to be fazed by the big moment. If anything, I think he’s going to thrive on it.”

Flaherty, who joined the Dodgers from the Detroit Tigers at the trade deadline, has made a solid impact since his arrival, posting a 3.58 ERA over 55 1/3 innings across 10 starts.

Meanwhile, there are growing concerns regarding Shohei Ohtani’s participation in the postseason. While he continues to engage in bullpen sessions as part of his rehabilitation from a second elbow surgery, Gomes indicated that there are no current plans for Ohtani to face live hitters. “We don’t anticipate him pitching in the postseason,” Gomes confirmed. Instead, the Dodgers are looking to leverage Ohtani’s batting prowess, which has been instrumental during his record-setting first season with the team.

The Dodgers concluded the regular season with the best record in baseball at 98-64, securing the top seed in the National League and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. This advantageous position affords them a bye, but the extended break has been detrimental in past years, with the team facing early exits in the Division Series—swept by Arizona last year and falling to the Padres in 2022. Manager Dave Roberts acknowledged the team’s frustration with these outcomes, stating, “Our guys are tired of it.”

This season, however, Roberts has observed a renewed determination within the clubhouse. “I see some more hunger, I see some more edge. I like that,” he remarked, emphasizing that while the team has always been prepared and committed, there is now a heightened intensity.

The extra time off could benefit the Dodgers as several players are recovering from injuries. All-Star first baseman Freddie Freeman and shortstop Miguel Rojas are both progressing in their recovery efforts. Roberts expressed optimism about Freeman’s return to the lineup, although the ankle injury he sustained may restrict his defensive capabilities. Freeman has been actively swinging in the batting cage and is expected to face live pitching on Thursday or Friday. Rojas, dealing with a tear in his left adductor muscle, received an injection last week and will require surgery post-season but is anticipated to be active during the playoffs.