Dodgers GM makes major announcement on Shohei Ohtani's pitching chances in MLB playoffs

When the Dodgers announced their intent to sign Shohei Ohtani to a ten-year, $700 million deal in December, the club understood that the star would not be pitching for the first year of the deal. Following an offseason surgery, Ohtani's doctors have prescribed that his arm be shut down until at least 2025.

However, that was in December. Now, over nine months later, the Dodgers find themselves in a particular situation. Set to face the red-hot Padres in the NLDS and stricken with an array of pitching injuries, some have begun to ponder whether or not fans can expect to see Shohei Ohtani on the mound this October.

While rumors were indeed swirling, Dodgers GM Brandon Gomes has laid them to rest, for now. On Thursday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic claimed that Gomes has dismissed the notion.

"Brandon Gomes said today he doesn’t anticipate Shohei Ohtani pitching this postseason."

Franchise strikeout leader Clayton Kershaw is looking unlikely to pitch this postseason, as is Gavin Stone. Tyler Glasnow - who was acquired by LA from the Tampa Bay Rays shortly after Ohtani - will also be sidelined. Glasnow is under a five-year, $136.5 million deal with LA.

Despite the obvious need to beef up their pitching viability, the Los Angeles Dodgers understand the risks involved. The team also boasts arms like Jack Flaherty and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, two of the most effective starting arms in MLB.

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Although the Japanese superstar has taken a step back from his two-way duties, Ohtani can certainly pitch. As a member of the Los Angeles Angels last year, Ohtani went 10-5 with a 3.14 ERA and 167 strikeouts in 132 innings.

Shohei Ohtani on the mound represents nuclear option for LA

While Gomes likely truthfully "does not anticipate" Ohtani being used on the mound, the postseason can be long, and any array of possibilities might be needed. As Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told MLB Network in September:

"I just think like anything—you should always leave some margin, a crack in the door for any possibility, if things line up and there's a need, and the game, his body, everything is telling us that it makes sense in that situation, great. It would be storybook."

Unless the conditions are dire, do not expect to see Shohei Ohtani pitch for the Dodgers. Afterall, the two-time MVP still has at least nine more years to show off his dizzying arsenal on the bump.