Shohei Ohtani could be used as an opener or even as an outfielder in Game 7

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TORONTO (AP) — Dodgers manager Dave Roberts will consider using Shohei Ohtani as an opener or even as an outfielder in Game 7 if Los Angeles forces the World Series against Toronto to the limit.

The two-way star threw 93 pitches in Wednesday's 6-2 loss in Game 4 and could be available as a reliever this weekend in Toronto.

However, if Ohtani entered as a reliever after starting the game as a designated hitter, the Dodgers would lose their DH. He can remain in the game as a DH if he also is the starting pitcher.

“I think we would consider everything,” Roberts said Thursday, a day ahead of Game 6. “It’s more of just kind of doing whatever we can to get through tomorrow and then pick up the pieces and then see what’s the best way to attack a potential Game 7. So everything should be on the table and will be, for sure.”

Roberts said he planned to discuss options with Ohtani later Thursday.

Ohtani has never pitched in relief during his Major League Baseball career. He made a handful of relief appearances in Japan for the Pacific League's Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, mostly as a rookie in 2013. He closed out Japan’s victory in the 2023 World Baseball Classic final against the United States, striking out then-Los Angeles Angels teammate Mike Trout for the final out.

Ohtani took on-field batting practice Thursday, which he rarely does, appearing to hit balls off the hotel behind center field.

He is batting .250 with eight homers, 14 RBIs and 14 walks in the postseason for a 1.109 OPS and is 2-1 on the mound with a 3.50 ERA and 25 strikeouts in 18 innings.

If Ohtani entered as a reliever after starting as a DH, he would need to play a position to remain in the game once his mound appearance is over.

He made seven outfield appearances with the Angels in 2021, the year before a rule was changed allowing starting pitchers to stay in games at DH after being removed from mound appearances.

Adding some levity to the workout, Roberts raced Hyeseong Kim and fell flat on his face.

Kim stood on first base and Roberts stood near the cutout, where a runner would take his lead.

Rounding second, Roberts stumbled and fell. The 53-year-old manager feigned a hamstring injury after getting up.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB