Shohei Ohtani to miss Saturday game as Dodgers manage biceps concern
Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani will sit out Saturday’s matchup after experiencing a right-biceps strain during Friday’s win over the San Diego Padres. Manager Dave Roberts said the decision is precautionary and Ohtani’s upcoming All-Star appearances remain under review.
Shohei Ohtani was replaced by a pinch-hitter in the seventh inning of the Dodgers’ 4-3 comeback win over the San Diego Padres on Friday after indicating discomfort in his right biceps. The two-way player said through interpreter Will Ireton that he was "a little concerned with my biceps with the last at-bat that I took."
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts announced that Ohtani will sit out Saturday to recover and that skipping his final scheduled start before the All-Star break is "on the table." Roberts added, "He’s a quick healer, and finds a way to get back… it’s really important, given the toll it takes on his body to be a two-way player."
Ohtani had limited the Padres to three runs on 110 pitches before exiting the game. He walked the first two batters he faced, then struck out three of the next four, and later retired ten consecutive hitters, striking out six. He gave up seven hits in a quality start that helped the Dodgers rally from a 3-0 deficit.
Teoscar Hernández delivered a decisive grand slam in the seventh inning, breaking the tie and securing the win for Los Angeles. Hernández described the swing that produced the home run as a return to his pre-injury form, saying he was "just trying to find the same swing that I had before I got hurt."
The Dodgers remain without catcher Will Smith, who is on the injured list, while Dalton Rushing handled catching duties and pitch-calling for Ohtani during the game.