Counsell calls Ohtani roster flexibility 'bizarre.' Roberts responds
Shohei Ohtani is unique in more than a few ways, and that uniqueness is always drawing attention from myriad places.
His hitting and pitching prowess earn him a special roster designation as a “two-way player,” which does not count against the Dodgers’ 13-pitcher limit on the 26-man roster. The rule, introduced in 2020, became relevant before the Cubs extended their winning streak to six games with a 5-1 win over the Phillies on Monday night.
Manager Craig Counsell, asked about roster flexibility while his club has 10 40-man arms on the IL, referenced the rule and said he has “never understood it.”
“It’s a rule to help offense, more than anything, if you ask me,” Counsell said in a pregame session with media. “And then there’s one team that’s allowed to carry basically one of both, and he gets special consideration, which is probably the most bizarre rule. For one team.”
In order to earn official two-way player designation, a player must meet two criteria:
- Pitched at least 20 Major League innings
- Started at least 20 Major League games as a position player or designated hitter, with at least three plate appearances in each of those games
Dodgers skipper Dave Roberts was asked about Counsell’s comments Monday after his club beat the Rockies, 12-3, and offered a rebuttal.
“The thing is it certainly benefits us because we have the player,” Roberts said. “But that’s something that, any team that had Ohtani would have that player. We’re more than willing for other teams to go out and find a player who can do both. He’s an exception because he’s an exceptional player. It is what it is.”
This is just the latest Ohtani-related rules situation that has caused contention for opposing teams, with the Blue Jays earlier this month asking about the amount of time the superstar is allowed when returning to the mound after batting.
Perhaps Counsell and Roberts will clear the air in person this weekend, with the Cubs visiting the Dodgers for a three-game series that begins Friday. Ohtani, however, is scheduled to pitch Wednesday against the Giants, so he likely won't face Counsell and Chicago on the mound.