‘No possibility’ Ohtani pitches in WS, Roberts says

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7 months ago

October 25, 2024

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Jorge Castillo, ESPN Staff WriterOct 24, 2024, 08:08 PM ET
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LOS ANGELES — In a World Series matchup loaded with storylines, one was seemingly put to rest Thursday: Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani will not make a dramatic return to the mound to face the New York Yankees.

“There is no possibility, none whatsoever,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “Thank you for asking.”

Ohtani has not pitched since undergoing major elbow surgery in September 2023 while with the Los Angeles Angels. The two-way star was strictly a designated hitter for the Dodgers this season, one so good that he is the overwhelming favorite to win National League MVP after posting the first 50/50 season in MLB history.

All the while, he rehabbed his elbow. Finally, in late August, he began throwing off a mound. Then, last month, Roberts opened the door to Ohtani pitching in the postseason. Soon, however, the Dodgers put the brakes on the idea. Roberts on Thursday slammed them.

Ohtani, meanwhile, did not appear disappointed with the decision.

“I’ve never said to them that I wanted to pitch in the postseason,” Ohtani said through an interpreter.

Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman underscored that in an interview with ESPN Radio earlier in the day, saying that Ohtani “is a one-way player for the next 10 days and then he will go back to being a two-way player.”

Ohtani would’ve joined a bullpen that has been foundational in the Dodgers’ postseason success. With just three starters, the Dodgers are expected to deploy at least one bullpen game in the World Series. The relief corps could receive reinforcements.

Alex Vesia, the Dodgers’ top left-handed reliever, told ESPN’s Alden González that he is “90% sure” he will be on the Dodgers’ roster after missing the National League Championship Series with an intercostal injury. Vesia threw 15 pitches in a live bullpen session Wednesday. He tossed three scoreless innings in the NL Division Series against the San Diego Padres after recording a 1.76 ERA in 67 appearances during the regular season.

Additionally, Roberts said Brusdar Graterol is also “trending in the right direction.” Graterol missed most of the regular season with shoulder and hamstring injuries, appearing in just seven games. The right-hander has a 1.64 ERA in 22 career postseason games.

“It’s part of the math,” Roberts said of Graterol’s limited action this season. “I think the other part is his track record in the postseason, how good he’s been, how good the heartbeat’s been. We believe in the person, the stuff.

“So then if it plays out as he’s on the roster, then it’s more of a decision on when I feel comfortable using him. I just don’t know that answer, but I am hopeful that he’s in a good spot right now.”

ESPN’s Alden González contributed to this report.

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Panthers handle Leafs, seal 3rd ECF trip in row

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55 mins ago

May 19, 2025

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Panthers handle Leafs, seal 3rd ECF trip in row

ESPN News Services

May 18, 2025, 10:22 PM ET

TORONTO — A three-goal second period broke open a tight game, quieted a raucous crowd at Scotiabank Arena, and powered the Florida Panthers past the Toronto Maple Leafs 6-1 in Game 7 of this Eastern Conference semifinal series on Sunday night.

Though it wasn’t the typical marquee names you see on the Florida scoresheet, Seth Jones, Anton Lundell and Jonah Gadjovich combined for those tallies, giving the Stanley Cup-champion Panthers a 3-0 lead headed into the third period. It was plenty of room for Florida to shut the door in the third period and seal a berth in the Eastern Conference finals for the third consecutive season. Florida will take on the Carolina Hurricanes in Round 3 beginning Tuesday.

The Maple Leafs, 2-0 winners in Game 6 Friday night in Sunrise, Florida, could not find enough time and space to operate in the Panthers’ zone. With 10 minutes left in regulation, Toronto had just 14 shots on net, with its season on the line, as boos rained down from the capacity crowd.

Eetu Luostarinen and Sam Reinhart chipped in with third-period goals for Florida, giving the champions a 5-1 lead after Toronto’s Max Domi scored at 2:07 of the final frame to briefly give the home team hope. Florida’s Brad Marchand added an empty-net goal to conclude the scoring.

“We’re excited about the opportunity,” Marchand said during the game broadcast on SportsNet. “We’re having fun, enjoying the moment, that’s all you can do. You don’t get a second chance at these opportunities. You just have to embrace and enjoy it.”

Goaltender Joseph Woll, who authored the shutout in Sunrise on Friday, struggled at home, looking out of position on several Florida goals. Anthony Stolarz, Toronto’s regular starter who had been sidelined since Game 1 with an undisclosed injury, was active and on the bench as Toronto’s backup for Game 7, but he was not called upon.

Florida goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky was much sharper on the other end of the ice, allowing only Domi’s goal off a wrist shot on a clean entry into the zone. Bobrovsky, who has started every postseason game for the Panthers this season, was playing in his first Game 7 since he led the Panthers to the Stanley Cup last June with a victory over the Edmonton Oilers in the series’ last game.

Jones, in his first season with Florida and seeking his first shot at the Stanley Cup, opened the scoring with his third goal of the postseason.

“I’m just happy with the situation I’m in,” Jones said on TNT’s postgame show. “Hopefully, my game can grow, and I’m just trying to bring what I can to the table with this team. I’m playing with a lot of great players, and these guys know what it takes to win.”

The game was delayed in the second period, just before Florida’s goal-scoring spree, after referee Chris Rooney, widely considered to be one of the top officials in the NHL, was bloodied and had to leave. The longtime referee was hit by an inadvertent stick to the face.

The play happened 13 seconds into the second period, when Florida’s Niko Mikkola was jousting for the puck and his stick went into Rooney’s face. Rooney skated off with some assistance and with a towel covering much of his face as he was brought to the locker room area for further evaluation and treatment.

The NHL has stand-by officials at playoff games, and Garrett Rank took over as one of the two referees following Rooney’s injury, joining a crew that also included referee Jean Hebert and linespersons Devin Berg and Jonny Murray.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Referee Rooney leaves Game 7 after stick to face

Published

55 mins ago

May 19, 2025

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Referee Rooney leaves Game 7 after stick to face

Associated Press

May 18, 2025, 09:12 PM ET

TORONTO — Referee Chris Rooney, widely considered to be one of the top officials in the NHL, was bloodied and had to leave Game 7 of the Florida Panthers–Toronto Maple Leafs playoff matchup Sunday night after taking an inadvertent stick above one of his eyes.

The play happened 13 seconds into the second period of the Panthers’ 6-1 win when Florida’s Niko Mikkola was jousting for the puck and his stick hit Rooney’s face.

The game was stopped for several minutes and a stretcher was brought onto the ice, but Rooney skated off with some assistance and with a towel covering much of his face as he was brought to the locker room area for further evaluation and treatment.

Rooney got stitches and was ruled out for the remainder of the game.

The NHL has standby officials at playoff games, and Garrett Rank took over as one of the two referees following Rooney’s injury, joining a crew that also included referee Jean Hebert and linesmen Devin Berg and Jonny Murray.