Shohei Ohtani's pitching frequency for next year revealed; Dodgers' manager does not expect him to pitch in the World Baseball Classic.

After fully returning to his two-way role this year, Los Angeles Dodgers' Japanese star Shohei Ohtani’s pitching rest days and appearance frequency have drawn much attention. Team manager Dave Roberts recently shared his plans for Ohtani’s starting appearances next year and commented on the possibility of him pitching in the World Baseball Classic (WBC).

In a recent interview, when asked about how Ohtani would be used as a pitcher, Roberts candidly stated, “My plan is to use Shohei as a regular starting pitcher, but I don’t expect him to follow the traditional five-man rotation.”

Since Ohtani only returned from right elbow surgery this season and began his rehab pitching after the All-Star break, the coaching staff scheduled his starts in August and September before rest days to minimize his workload. With Ohtani indicating that “pitching rehab is complete,” his usage strategy has become a key focus.

Roberts revealed, “I don’t plan to use a six-man rotation. However, to ensure he gets enough rest and maintains his condition, we aim to give him 6 to 8 days off between outings. Although Ohtani won’t pitch on a regular rotation schedule, we do have capable candidates ready to cover for him during his rest periods.”

Regarding whether Ohtani will participate as a two-way player in the WBC, Roberts remained cautious: “Pitching? I don’t think so, and I hope he won’t pitch. But honestly, I don’t know. Shohei is always very mindful of his physical condition; he might only focus on hitting. But I really can’t say for sure because I haven’t discussed this with him yet.”