The baseball world continues to debate the future and role of Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani, despite the team’s clear statements that he will pitch and hit in 2027.
President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman did not mince words, saying Ohtani will not undergo surgery to address the injuries that plagued him before the end of the season, and he will still pitch and hit in 2027, despite his pitching causing those injuries.
The Dodgers will let Ohtani show off his superpowers, but there are talks about whether that is best for Ohtani and the Dodgers as they look at the roster.
Can Shohei Ohtani play in the outfield?
The possibility of Ohtani slotting in the outfield has circulated over the last month, through media questions or debates on MLB Network.
Ohtani has appeared in the outfield seven times, all with the Angels in 2021. He has lined up six times in right field and one time in left.
Back in 2025, ahead of the postseason, Shohei Ohtani expressed a willingness to play wherever needed, including the outfield.
“As a player, if I’m told to go somewhere, I want to be prepared to do so,” he said. “That’s on the mound and perhaps even in the outfield.”
In Japan, Ohtani played 62 outfield games before moving into his current DH/starting pitcher role, most in right field.
His athleticism, mobility, and arm strength make him a strong candidate to fill either corner of the outfield.
While Ohtani did not play in the outfield during the 2025 postseason, manager Dave Roberts respected Ohtani’s willingness to get uncomfortable.
“I don’t know if it’s a pipe dream, but it’s very commendable from Shohei,” Roberts said back in 2025 ahead of the postseason. “I think that what happens is that there’s a lot of moving parts, too.
“He would have to take on more load, as far as kind of being an outfielder to then pitch. … There’s a lot of variables. But to know that he can potentially run out there, it’s great. Maybe just in theory. But again, I love him for even throwing that out there.”
The Dodgers’ stance on Ohtani in the outfield
Ohtani was shut down from pitching late in the season, prompting questions about a possible outfield role, which manager Dave Roberts shut down.
“Not on the table right now,” Roberts said this past September.
Indeed, Ohtani did not play in the outfield, but there is a reason for the idea.
Why an Ohtani outfield role appeals on paper
Ohtani playing in the outfield, likely left field, would free up the designated hitter role when Ohtani does not pitch.
This gives the Dodgers a clear path to play Josue De Paula, a dynamic young bat, in his ideal role right now.
As the organization has said multiple times, De Paula is considered a DH until he improves his defense. On paper, given the team’s talk, Ohtani may fare better defensively.
The odds of this happening in 2027, or even down the line, are slim, especially after Friedman’s recent statements.
However, it is hard to blame fans or analysts for trying to figure out how to have Ohtani and De Paula in the same lineup on Opening Day if De Paula’s defense doesn’t improve.
Ohtani will certainly be open and willing, but the doubts are with the Dodgers.