Roberts shuts door on Ohtani pitching in WS: 'No possibility'

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts officially closed the door on the remote chance of Shohei Ohtani pitching as a reliever against the New York Yankees during the World Series.

"There's no possibility, none whatsoever," Roberts said Thursday, according to Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com. "Thank you for asking."

The Dodgers have maintained since mid-September that it was unlikely Ohtani would pitch this season after undergoing elbow surgery in September 2023. However, there's now zero chance that'll happen despite a championship being on the line.

The 30-year-old memorably closed out the 2023 World Baseball Classic final for Japan versus the United States as a two-way player.

Ohtani began a throwing program in September that created speculation he could be a postseason option for a Dodgers pitching staff ravaged by injuries.

"I've never said to them that I wanted to pitch in the postseason," the Japanese superstar said Thursday through an interpreter.

Ohtani is still the NL MVP favorite without throwing a single pitch in the majors this season after an unprecedented 54-homer, 59-steal campaign as Los Angeles' designated hitter.