“Shohei Ohtani, you have to do something pretty incredible” - Max Muncy on Dodgers’ potential reliance on star in World Series Game 5 against Yankees

Shohei Ohtani was banged up even before Game 5 of the World Series, but Max Muncy said the team almost needed him to step on the mound to help secure the victory.

A bullpen game in Game 4 meant the relievers were taxed and Jack Flaherty's early exit in Game 5 had the Dodgers in scramble mode. During the key innings, Ohtani's pitching status was being looked into.

"We were almost getting to that point," Muncy said on Tuesday, via Foul Territory. "Daniel Hudson was warming up. He kinda told all of us afterwards he was pretty sure he was going to blow out if he had to come into that game... There might've been a moment where, 'Hey, Shohei Ohtani, you might have to do something pretty incredible right here.'"

Muncy added that Hudson's elbow was hurting and he wasn't sure if could pitch at all. If he was inserted in the game and got hurt, the Dodgers might have turned to Ohtani.

Ohtani has been rehabilitating his arm after Tommy John surgery and it been almost 14 full months since he last pitched in a game. Fortunately for the Dodgers, Walker Buehler stepped up on short rest to secure the series.

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Yankees were prepared for Shohei Ohtani pitching

Before the World Series, LA Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that there was no chance Shohei Ohtani would pitch. The injury risk and the lack of pitching beforehand ruled it out. However, the New York Yankees would've been ready for him.

Shohei Ohtani did not pitch in the World Series (Imagn)

"I haven't given much thought to that, but if that's the case, we'll be ready for everything," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said on Oct. 22, via CBS Sports.

Ultimately, the Yankees didn't force the Dodgers to send Ohtani to the mound. The slugger already injured his shoulder on a stolen base attempt and was ailing in his at-bats, but the Yankees couldn't force him to throw a pitch against them.