Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has a message for anyone who thinks his team is bending MLB's rules regarding two-way players: If you can't beat 'em, join 'em.
The Dodgers came under fire recently from Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell, who took issue with a recent game in which Shohei Ohtani served as a starting pitcher, but wasn't also in the lineup as designated hitter.
Under MLB rules, two-way players don't count against the 13-pitcher roster limit. So Ohtani effectively gives the Dodgers one more pitcher than any other team.
Before the Brewers' game on Monday, April 20, Counsell called the rule "bizarre" and suggested it gives the Dodgers an unfair advantage. "There’s not another player like that," Counsell said, "but one team gets different rules for that player."
Oct. 17, 2025: Shohei Ohtani celebrates with teammates in the clubhouse after defeating the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 4 of the NLCS at Dodger Stadium.Oct. 17, 2025: Shohei Ohtani hits a solo home run during Game 4 of the NLCS against the Milwaukee Brewers at Dodger Stadium. Ohtani hit three home runs and pitched six scoreless innings in one of the greatest performances in MLB playoff history. The Dodgers won the game, 5-1, to advance to the World Series.
March 20, 2024: Shohei Ohtani gets his first hit as a Dodger in the third inning during the 2024 Seoul Series game against the Padres.
1 / 42Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers' $700 million man in photosOct. 17, 2025: Shohei Ohtani celebrates with teammates in the clubhouse after defeating the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 4 of the NLCS at Dodger Stadium.1 / 42Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers' $700 million man in photosOct. 17, 2025: Shohei Ohtani celebrates with teammates in the clubhouse after defeating the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 4 of the NLCS at Dodger Stadium.2 / 42Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers' $700 million man in photosOct. 17, 2025: Shohei Ohtani hits a solo home run during Game 4 of the NLCS against the Milwaukee Brewers at Dodger Stadium. Ohtani hit three home runs and pitched six scoreless innings in one of the greatest performances in MLB playoff history. The Dodgers won the game, 5-1, to advance to the World Series.
March 20, 2024: Shohei Ohtani gets his first hit as a Dodger in the third inning during the 2024 Seoul Series game against the Padres.
After the Dodgers' 12-3 win over the Colorado Rockies later that night, Roberts responded.
"We're more than willing to have other teams go out and find a player that can do both (pitching and hitting)," Roberts said. "He's an exception because he's an exceptional player."
Ohtani went 1-for-4 with two walks and two runs scored in the Dodgers' win on Monday night. In the process he extended his streak of reaching base to 52 consecutive games, moving him ever closer to Duke Snider's franchise record of 58 in a row.
Counsell will have a chance to express his concerns directly to Roberts and Ohtani this weekend when the Cubs visit Dodger Stadium for a three-game series against the two-time defending World Series champions.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dave Roberts responds to Craig Counsell's 'Shohei Ohtani rule' take