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Dodgers GM Says No Plans to Move Ohtani Out of Rotation

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Eric W. Bolin | Last updated Jun 24, 2025 2:45 PM ET

Shohei Ohtani's road back from elbow surgery in 2023 on the mound continued over the weekend as he served as the Los Angeles Dodgers' 'opener' against the Washington Nationals.

The term 'opener' has come en vogue the last few seasons as big-league teams have begun to use relievers as starters, pitching them one or two innings before moving on to the next arm.

Ohtani, though, isn't a traditional opener. He's been a starter his entire MLB career. Over 88 appearances since arriving from Japan, Ohtani has pitched to a 3.01 ERA with 610 strikeouts over 483 2/3 innings, all of which have come as a starter.

MLB Now host Brian Kenny wondered if the surgery changed things for Ohtani or the Dodgers' plans for him, perhaps using him out of the bullpen. Brandon Gomes, the team's executive vice president and general manager, said no, not really.

"Yeah, we haven't really talked about that (using Ohtani in relief) at all," Gomes told Kenny on the show. "I just know that Shohei is one of the best starters in the game."

The Dodgers could certainly use him. They entered Tuesday tied for 21st in the majors in ERA, just ahead of the Chicago White Sox, a team with the second worst record in baseball. In total, manager Dave Roberts has used 16 different pitchers as a starter or opener this year. Only Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Dustin May have logged more than eight starts in Los Angeles' 79 games so far.

Ohtani has pitched in two games since returning to the mound this year, working one inning in each. Los Angeles currently has just two spots listed with bodies as probable over its next five games - Yamamoto is scheduled to pitch Wednesday against the Rockies and Clayton Kershaw on Thursday against Colorado - though Ohtani seems most likely to go again Saturday against the Kansas City Royals.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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