Dave Roberts said on October 3, 2026, that Shohei Ohtani will be in the Los Angeles Dodgers' postseason lineup despite not being at 100 percent.
Roberts selected Tyler Glasnow as the Game 1 starter, citing Glasnow's ability to pitch on regular rest and the rotation options that creates later in the series. Roberts said the Dodgers have four starting pitchers to deploy, including Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and described telling Glasnow the decision as especially enjoyable. "I loved delivering that message," Roberts said.
Roberts added that the Dodgers planned to announce the Game 2 starter after the workout and carry 14 pitchers and 12 position players, with the bench bat and final reliever still to be determined. He evaluated Freddie Freeman's recent at-bats positively, saying, "yesterday was a big step for Freddy," while also expecting Freeman to be in the lineup despite not being at full health.
Roberts explained that bullpen usage would depend on matchups and game flow. He may use Tanner Scott as a game finisher, while he trusts Evan Phillips, Roki Sasaki and Edwin Diaz to close games. Roberts also stressed that winning Game 1 would help set the tone and build momentum, with the Dodgers needing to exhaust the opposing starter and expose the bullpen.
Ohtani stated that his arm and knee issues would be examined more fully during the offseason. He said he had known he would not pitch during the season and focused on hitting during his return period, while his immediate priority was preparing to perform at his best. Ohtani added that his swing and setup felt sufficiently good despite limited game at-bats and that he expected to adjust to the postseason atmosphere. He also agreed with the Dodgers that the decision to remain on the injured list was probably best for the team.
Roberts said postseason players are rarely fully healthy and must manage lingering issues while continuing to play. The Dodgers' next decisions are to announce the Game 2 starter, finalize the 14-pitcher, 12-position-player roster and determine bullpen roles by matchup and game flow.