Dodgers weigh options as Ohtani struggles in Game 3 of 2026 NLDS
Shohei Ohtani is slated to start Game 3 despite a .150 batting line in the postseason and lingering injuries, prompting the Dodgers to assess his health and timing issues.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed that Shohei Ohtani will start in Game 3 of the National League Division Series on Wednesday. The decision comes as Ohtani has posted a .150/.261/.150 slash line in six playoff games and has not pitched since early July because of right-biceps and left-knee problems.
Roberts told The Athletic, "> I mean, obviously, it hasn’t been good. He doesn’t feel great. I think for me, it’s having a conversation with him [Tuesday], kind of try to figure out what’s best for him, what’s best for us. He certainly has earned that conversation and deserves it."
Ohtani’s offensive decline follows a stretch in which he has not hit a home run since August 18 and has seen a sharp drop in performance against high-velocity pitches. Statcast data show his attack angle, attack direction, intercept point and late-swing rate rank at the bottom of his career metrics for October, indicating significant timing issues.
Hitting coach Aaron Bates said the problem is now less about physical limitations and more about “getting the timing against different speeds.” Ohtani’s bat speed remains high, but his swing is consistently late, leading to weak contact and a high strikeout rate of 39% in September.
The Dodgers must decide whether the timing issues can be corrected in the short term or if Ohtani’s health will require a longer recovery, a choice that could influence the team’s chances for a third consecutive championship.