As the 2025 Major League Baseball season entered its final stretch, the Dodgers were heading towards their 12th National League West title in 13 years, holding an 88–68 record and a three-game cushion over the Padres. And the team has already secured a playoff spot for a franchise-record 13th straight year. But all this is on the surface, and beneath it, whispers are growing like rivals are pointing to a rare roster rule, one that only benefits the Dodgers. They believe LA has found an unfair edge in Shohei Ohtani‘s postseason role.

So, what is all the fuss about? It comes down to a special roster advantage. MLB insider Bob Nightengale of USA Today wrote, “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,”  in his September 21 column.

Here’s how it works in simple terms. Every team can have 26 players on its postseason roster. Of those 26 players, a maximum of 13 can be pitchers. Because Ohtani qualifies as a two-way player, he doesn’t count against that pitcher limit. So, the Dodgers can carry 13 regular pitchers plus Ohtani, giving them 14 available arms. No other team gets that luxury. So Nightengale explained, “If Ohtani is a starting pitcher, he can remain in the game as a DH once he’s replaced on the mound.”

But there’s a catch. What if they use him from the bullpen, where the team struggles mostly in the season, and he has a legendary record during the 2023 World Baseball Classic? Nightengale notes, “But if he starts the game as a DH and pitches out of the bullpen, the Dodgers would lose the DH once his relief appearance is over.” So, to avoid losing his bat, they can move Ohtani to the outfield, where he’s already shown his willingness to play. But there’s a problem. He hasn’t played a single inning in the outfield since 2021, when he made only seven —six games in right field and one in left.

So, the Dodgers have not shown their willingness to use Ohtani in relief, as Dave Roberts already said after Ohtani’s willingness to play in the outfield, “I don’t know if it’s a pipe dream, but it’s very commendable from Shohei. There are 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.” And as per Jack Harris, the Dodgers beat writer for the LA Times, “Dave Roberts said Shohei Ohtani’s next start will be Tuesday in Arizona. That would keep him on track to make a potential start in the wild card round.”

Ohtani’s dual role boosts Dodgers, but bullpen woes remain

After signing a massive 10-year, $700 million contract, Ohtani powered Los Angeles to a World Series title last year without even throwing a pitch. And this season, he returned to the mound and looks good in both roles. At the plate, he is hitting an incredible .338 with a .769 slugging percentage, seven homers, and 13 RBIs this month alone, and is on a pace for the league lead in home runs. And on the mound, he has posted a 3.29 ERA in his 13 starts.

And of course, the defending champions are far from a one-man show. Beyond Ohtani, they have two other superstars, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman, in an anchor role. Teoscar Hernández and young outfielder Andy Pages are also adding depth. And most importantly, the rotation looks untouchable for the first time in so many years, with aces like Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, and Blake Snell.

Still, they are not invincible. With a troubling bullpen that allowed an ERA of 5.65 in September and injuries to players like catcher Will Smith, Michael Kopech, and Brusdal Graterol, there is a major question mark about whether they can defend their title. In the end, the special rule for Shohei Ohtani gives the Dodgers a clear advantage that has rightfully annoyed their rivals, but they are not invincible. As there is no guarantee that the extra arm will be enough to overcome a volatile bullpen and key injuries.