Will Shohei Ohtani pitch in the playoffs? Exploring Dodgers phenom's possible return amid Tyler Glasnow’s potential season-ending injury

The Los Angeles Dodgers suffered a big setback with their rehabbing pitcher on Friday. That's because right-hander Tyler Glasnow was diagnosed with a strained elbow after feeling discomfort while warming up for his simulated game.

Glasnow has been recovering from elbow tendinitis and hasn’t played for the Dodgers since Aug. 11. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts revealed that Glasnow is ‘highly likely’ to return this season, per Jack Harris of LA Times.

Meanwhile, Japanese two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani, who is scheduled to pitch in the 2025 season, is working on his game from the mound. The 30-year-old has been excelling as a DH for the LA Dodgers and is on pace for a historic 50-homer, 50-steal season.

However, there’s a chance that Ohtani could return to the major league mound during the upcoming playoffs, with the Dodgers suffering from injuries to their pitchers.

Discussing the same, Roberts said on SiriusXM MLB Network Radio:

“I think that 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, (Ohtani’s) body, everything is telling us that it makes sense in that situation, great. It would be storybook."

Tyler Glasnow, Gavin Stone and Clayton Kershaw are some of the top Dodgers pitchers sidelined due to injuries as they work their way back to the team from the injured list.

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Dave Roberts opens up about Shohei Ohtani’s chances of pitching in 2024 playoffs

Shohei Ohtani is hitting .290 with 47 home runs, 104 RBIs, 75 walks and 48 stolen bases with a .985 OPS. When Roberts was asked about the possibility of Ohtani’s return to pitching, he said (via MLB):

"Anything's possible. This is something that is a long-term play. We still have a lot of work to do to get to October and through October. I hope that's on his mind, as far as motivation for his rehab. The odds of it coming to pass are very slim, but they're not zero.

"We all have to feel very confident that the buildup, that the stress of pitches, that he'll be able to handle the cost-benefit of him potentially doing something like that," Roberts added.

The Los Angeles Dodgers (87-61) have a .588 winning percentage and are leading the NL West. It will be interesting to see what moves the Dodgers make to bolster their chances in the playoffs amid their pitching woes.