Dodgers Pitching Coach Mark Prior Reveals Team Has Discussed Using Shohei Ohtani as Postseason Reliever in Surprising Strategy
The Los Angeles Dodgers are no strangers to big ideas, bold moves, and headline-grabbing strategies. When your roster includes some of the game’s most talented players and your payroll hovers near the top of Major League Baseball, the expectations are never anything less than championship or bust. But when Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior recently revealed that the organization has discussed the possibility of using Shohei Ohtani as a reliever in the postseason, it sent shockwaves through the baseball world and ignited one of the most fascinating debates of the 2025 season.
Ohtani, of course, is no ordinary player. Since his arrival in Major League Baseball from Japan, he has redefined what is possible in the modern game. A true two-way superstar, he has won MVPs, smashed home runs at a jaw-dropping pace, and dominated opposing hitters on the mound. But his unique workload has always been a challenge to manage. Injuries, including elbow procedures and fatigue from his dual role, have forced both the Angels in the past and now the Dodgers to think creatively about how best to maximize his talents while protecting his long-term health.
This year, Ohtani has primarily been deployed as a designated hitter, taking a year off from starting pitching duties after his second Tommy John surgery. The Dodgers were cautious in his recovery, committing to the idea that he would not pitch in the 2025 regular season. However, Prior’s comments suggest that the postseason could present a different scenario—one in which Ohtani, the game’s most electrifying figure, could potentially take the mound in a limited but high-impact role.
The idea of using Ohtani out of the bullpen is tantalizing for many reasons. In the postseason, every out is magnified, every high-leverage moment carries the weight of an entire season, and managers often need to get creative to secure the slightest advantage. Ohtani as a one-inning weapon, perhaps entering in the seventh, eighth, or even ninth inning, could give the Dodgers a weapon unlike any other team possesses. Imagine an opposing lineup, having fought through the Dodgers’ rotation and bullpen arms, suddenly facing Ohtani throwing 98 miles per hour with a devastating splitter and slider—all after watching him launch a home run earlier in the game. It’s the type of baseball theater that seems almost too good to be true.
From a practical standpoint, the move also makes sense. Relieving places less strain on the elbow compared to starting, as the pitcher only has to focus on a handful of batters rather than pacing themselves for five or more innings. With Ohtani’s bat already anchoring the Dodgers’ offense, the opportunity to get even a few innings of elite pitching out of him could tilt a playoff series. Prior acknowledged this possibility while cautioning that nothing has been decided, noting that the Dodgers want to “leave all doors open” when it comes to October strategy.
The mere suggestion, however, has already sparked widespread reaction. Dodgers fans are buzzing at the prospect of seeing their newest megastar deliver not just at the plate but also on the mound during a postseason run. Broadcasters and analysts are scrambling to consider how Ohtani’s presence in the bullpen would alter the Dodgers’ pitching dynamics. And rival teams are undoubtedly watching with both awe and trepidation, knowing that preparing for the Dodgers’ already formidable roster could become even more daunting.
Ohtani himself has not publicly committed to any pitching plans, but those who know him understand that he thrives on competition and challenges. If the Dodgers believe he is ready, and if medical staff gives the green light, it’s hard to imagine Ohtani shying away from the chance to make history once again. The idea of him striding in from the bullpen to the roar of Dodger Stadium in October is the type of moment that would immediately become iconic in baseball lore.
For the Dodgers, this strategy also represents their constant willingness to innovate. Over the past decade, Los Angeles has been at the forefront of analytics, player development, and roster construction. They’ve never been afraid to push boundaries, whether it was with unconventional bullpen usage, aggressive platoons, or reimagining player roles. The Ohtani bullpen plan fits perfectly into that tradition—a mixture of risk and reward that could pay off handsomely if executed properly.
Critics, of course, are raising concerns. After all, Ohtani has undergone two elbow surgeries, and his long-term future as a pitcher remains a delicate matter. The Dodgers signed him to a historic contract not just for one October but for a decade of production, and risking his health for a short-term playoff boost could backfire. There is also the question of whether Ohtani could effectively adjust to the reliever role after spending most of his career as a starter. Pitching on back-to-back days, for instance, might be unrealistic.
Yet, in October baseball, the calculus is different. Every team knows that flags fly forever, and the opportunity to win a championship with one of the greatest talents ever to play the game might justify taking some calculated risks. It’s not about grinding through 162 games anymore; it’s about capturing 11 wins in the postseason. If Ohtani can deliver even two or three innings across a playoff series, that contribution could make all the difference.
From a historical perspective, the idea of a star player shifting roles in the postseason is not unprecedented. Hall of Famers like Randy Johnson and Madison Bumgarner famously came out of the bullpen in October to deliver heroic performances. Johnson’s relief appearance in Game 7 of the 2001 World Series helped the Diamondbacks topple the Yankees. Bumgarner’s legendary five-inning save in Game 7 of the 2014 World Series cemented his legacy. Ohtani, with his unique skill set, could be poised to join that pantheon of unforgettable playoff moments.
The Dodgers’ pursuit of another World Series ring is always under the microscope, and in recent years, October disappointments have overshadowed regular-season dominance. For all their talent and resources, the team has only one title in the last decade, the shortened 2020 season. Bringing in Ohtani was supposed to tilt the balance, ensuring that this era of Dodgers baseball ends with multiple championships. If Ohtani the hitter is not enough, then Ohtani the reliever might be the X-factor that puts them over the top.
Beyond strategy and statistics, though, there’s an undeniable sense of drama in this scenario. Baseball has always been about moments—mythical, cinematic snapshots that endure through generations. Kirk Gibson limping to the plate in 1988. David Ortiz’s grand slam in 2013. Bumgarner’s dominance in 2014. If the Dodgers unleash Ohtani as a bullpen ace in October, the potential for one of those immortal images is off the charts. Imagine the shot of him roaring after a strikeout, Dodger Stadium in a frenzy, knowing fans are witnessing history in real time.
Mark Prior’s revelation might have been just a glimpse into brainstorming sessions, but it has already changed the narrative around the Dodgers’ postseason plans. Suddenly, the thought of Ohtani doing double-duty again—something many assumed was shelved until 2026—has become a possibility. The Dodgers may not commit until the final weeks of the season, and it may hinge on Ohtani’s health, progress, and comfort. But the fact that the discussion is even happening speaks to the extraordinary nature of Ohtani’s talent and the lengths the Dodgers will go to maximize it.
For now, fans can only imagine the spectacle: Ohtani jogging out from the bullpen gate in October, a sellout Dodger Stadium crowd rising to its feet, the weight of championship aspirations hanging in the air. Baseball is a sport built on tradition, but moments like these are what push it into new frontiers. Shohei Ohtani has already redefined the game. If the Dodgers follow through with this bold plan, he may redefine October itself.
Whether or not it happens, the mere possibility has electrified the season. It is a reminder of why Ohtani is the most captivating figure in sports today and why the Dodgers, with all their talent and ambition, remain must-watch theater. If October is about magic, legends, and unforgettable performances, then Ohtani as a postseason reliever could be the greatest show the sport has ever seen.
