Dodgers manager Dave Roberts informed Shohei Ohtani via text on Wednesday night that he would not be in the lineup for Thursday’s series finale against the Cardinals. Ohtani responded with a salute emoji, acknowledging the decision. Roberts emphasized that Ohtani’s presence in the game cannot be solely based on his stature and name.
This situation may continue as Ohtani deals with lingering pain in his right biceps and left knee. Despite Roberts downplaying the likelihood of placing Ohtani on the injured list, uncertainty looms over the team’s plans due to his health issues.
Without clarity on Ohtani’s ability to pitch this season, the Dodgers find it challenging to fully strategize their rotation. Additionally, Ohtani’s recent batting slump, with only two hits in his last six games, affects the team’s offensive strength. His performance has notably declined from August, where he batted .241.
Roberts mentioned that great players often believe their partial performance is better than others, highlighting the dilemma of relying on player judgment versus medical advice. Having managed similar situations with Clayton Kershaw, Roberts considers the potential risks to both Ohtani and the team.
Ohtani has not spoken to reporters for over two weeks, declining interview requests. His left knee has been a significant obstacle, with pitching halted since July 3 due to swelling and soreness. A new concern arises with his right biceps, which bothered him Wednesday night.
Ohtani reported discomfort from his biceps to his neck, leading to visible arm movement during the game.
General Manager Brandon Gomes describes Ohtani’s biceps issue as fluctuating, having occurred multiple times this season. Gomes acknowledges the difficulty of recovery from such injuries in late-season months and stresses the need for ongoing communication with Ohtani.
While both injuries persist, Ohtani has consistently participated in games, never missing two consecutive matches all season. Gomes noted that the team hasn’t seriously considered an extended absence for Ohtani. He downplays assumptions linking Ohtani’s offensive struggles to his health, pointing instead to natural performance variations.
“There’s nothing overly concerning at this point. We’ll continue monitoring,” Gomes said of Ohtani’s condition.
If the Dodgers opt not to send Ohtani to the IL, granting him days off might be beneficial. Decisions regarding his potential return to pitching remain tentative. Roberts stated new developments will be factored into future decisions.
Gomes reiterated the team’s strategy: if the potential benefits of resting Ohtani outweigh risks, they will do so, but they will avoid compromising his batting performance. As of now, the office feels there isn’t enough information to make definitive choices.
Ohtani resumed his throwing progression on August 8 with catch play, though his performance since then shows a decline, recording a .704 OPS—his worst this season. The acquisition of left-hander Tarik Skubal has eased some of the pressure on Ohtani to return to pitching, providing the Dodgers with more options in their roster.
“It was an opportunity our front office identified, and we’re grateful a deal was reached,” Roberts commented on Skubal’s acquisition. “It’s significant having a starting pitcher available with Shohei’s current state and ongoing issues like Roki Sasaki’s injury.”
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