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10/30 21:17 CDT Shohei Ohtani could be used as an opener or even as an 
outfielder in Game 7
Shohei Ohtani could be used as an opener or even as an outfielder in Game 7
TORONTO (AP) --- Dodgers manager Dave Roberts will consider using Shohei Ohtani 
as an opener or even as an outfielder in Game 7 if Los Angeles forces the World 
Series against Toronto to the limit.
The two-way star threw 93 pitches in Wednesday's 6-2 loss in Game 4 and could 
be available as a reliever this weekend in Toronto.
However, if Ohtani entered as a reliever after starting the game as a 
designated hitter, the Dodgers would lose their DH. He can remain in the game 
as a DH if he also is the starting pitcher.
"I think we would consider everything," Roberts said Thursday, a day ahead of 
Game 6. "It's more of just kind of doing whatever we can to get through 
tomorrow and then pick up the pieces and then see what's the best way to attack 
a potential Game 7. So everything should be on the table and will be, for sure."
Roberts said he planned to discuss options with Ohtani later Thursday.
Ohtani has never pitched in relief during his Major League Baseball career. He 
made a handful of relief appearances in Japan for the Pacific League's Hokkaido 
Nippon-Ham Fighters, mostly as a rookie in 2013. He closed out Japan's victory 
in the 2023 World Baseball Classic final against the United States, striking 
out then-Los Angeles Angels teammate Mike Trout for the final out.
Ohtani took on-field batting practice Thursday, which he rarely does, appearing 
to hit balls off the hotel behind center field.
He is batting .250 with eight homers, 14 RBIs and 14 walks in the postseason 
for a 1.109 OPS and is 2-1 on the mound with a 3.50 ERA and 25 strikeouts in 18 
innings.
If Ohtani entered as a reliever after starting as a DH, he would need to play a 
position to remain in the game once his mound appearance is over.
He made seven outfield appearances with the Angels in 2021, the year before a 
rule was changed allowing starting pitchers to stay in games at DH after being 
removed from mound appearances.
 Roberts falls flat
Adding some levity to the workout, Roberts raced Hyeseong Kim and fell flat on 
his face.
Kim stood on first base and Roberts stood near the cutout, where a runner would 
take his lead.
Rounding second, Roberts stumbled and fell. The 53-year-old manager feigned a 
hamstring injury after getting up.
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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB
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