Overview
- Cubs manager Craig Counsell on Monday criticized the rule that lets Shohei Ohtani be listed as a two-way player, calling the setup “bizarre” because it gives the Dodgers extra help.
- After the Dodgers’ win later Monday, Dave Roberts answered that the club is following the rules and said any team would gain the same benefit if it had a player who could both pitch and hit.
- Under MLB rules, teams can carry only 13 pitchers through Aug. 31, but a two-way player does not count as a pitcher, which lets the Dodgers effectively run 14 pitchers and keep a six-man rotation with eight relievers.
- Ohtani is the only active player who meets the two-way criteria of at least 20 MLB innings and 20 starts as a hitter with three plate appearances in those games, and a 2024 wording change letting players qualify using either of the two previous seasons was reported to have helped him retain the status after elbow surgery.
- Adding to the focus on his value, Ohtani reached base for a 53rd straight game Tuesday against the Giants to tie the Los Angeles-era club record, with his next pitching start scheduled for Wednesday.