The Los Angeles Dodgers are closing in on another postseason run, with less than two weeks left before October baseball begins. While they may not secure the No. 1 seed in the National League this time around, they remain on track to capture yet another NL West crown. But it isn’t just their dominance that has rivals irritated — it’s a rare roster rule tied to Shohei Ohtani.
Why the Ohtani Rule Has Opponents Furious
Vote For Your Favorite Dodgers Duo: Ohtani – Yamamoto, Betts – Freeman, Hernandez – Hernandez
“Teams are upset that the Dodgers will have one more pitcher than everyone else on their roster since there’s a special exemption for Shohei Ohtani as a two-way player,” explained Bob Nightengale of USA Today.
The technicality is rooted in how Ohtani can both pitch and hit. If he starts on the mound, he can remain in the game as the designated hitter even after being replaced. But if he begins as the DH and later enters as a reliever, the Dodgers would lose the DH unless Ohtani shifted to the outfield — something he hasn’t done since 2021.
“This is why it’s far-fetched that Ohtani will have any role in the postseason besides a DH and starting pitcher,” Nightengale added.
Ohtani’s Impact on the Dodgers
The frustration from opposing teams is understandable, given what Ohtani brings. After signing a 10-year, $700 million contract in December 2023, he powered Los Angeles to a World Series title in his very first season — and that was while recovering from a UCL injury that kept him off the mound.
At the plate, Ohtani has remained elite. He’s slashing .338/.456/.769 this September with seven homers and 13 RBIs. For the season, he’s up to 53 home runs, tying Kyle Schwarber for the league lead, and DraftKings Sportsbook has him as the overwhelming MVP favorite at -20,000.
On the mound, the two-way star has rediscovered form, posting a 3.29 ERA in 13 starts. “Shohei Ohtani’s next pitching start will be Tuesday in Arizona,” reported The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya, noting that it lines up perfectly with a potential Wild Card Series Game 1 start.
Dodgers’ Supporting Cast
Even without Ohtani, this roster would be formidable. Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman anchor the lineup, while young outfielder Andy Pages and slugger Teoscar Hernández have added depth and power. On the pitching side, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, and Blake Snell form a playoff rotation most clubs would envy.
Rivals Left Frustrated
With Ohtani eligible for a special exemption, the Dodgers effectively gain an edge that no other club can replicate. It’s the kind of advantage that fuels resentment across the league — but it also underscores just how unique Ohtani is.
For the Dodgers, it’s another reminder of why their massive investment in the two-way superstar continues to pay off. And for everyone else? It’s one more reason to hate October baseball in Los Angeles.