Dodgers keep Shohei Ohtani out of lineup while evaluating his health
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts and GM Brandon Gomes said Ohtani will remain out as they monitor his knee and biceps issues, noting no immediate need for an injured-list move.
Shohei Ohtani was not included in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ starting lineup Thursday as the club continues to assess the two-way star’s physical condition ahead of the final month of the regular season. Manager Dave Roberts described Ohtani’s status as “day-to-day” and indicated the team is not planning to place him on the injured list at this time.
“I’m not sure it’s an IL-worthy thing right now,” GM Brandon Gomes told reporters before the series finale against the St. Louis Cardinals.
The decision follows an 8-6 loss to the Cardinals in which Ohtani was hit by a pitch twice and struck out in his last four at-bats, marking his first four-strikeout game of the year. Roberts said the performance suggested Ohtani was “compromised” at the plate and hinted it reflected a broader decline observed over recent weeks.
“Tonight was kind of the tip of the iceberg. I’ve seen it over the last couple weeks, where he hasn’t been who he is,” Roberts said after the game.
Ohtani has been dealing with left-knee pain and right-biceps soreness since mid-June, which has kept him from pitching since early July. While the Dodgers have not ruled out a return to the mound, they emphasized that preserving his ability to contribute offensively remains a priority.
“I don’t think at this point it feels like there’s some long-term concern,” Gomes added.
Since beginning a throwing program on Aug. 8, Ohtani’s offensive numbers have slipped to a .204 batting average and a .704 OPS, with a strikeout rate above 30 percent. The team acknowledged the difficulty of attributing the decline to any single factor.
“We haven’t had any indication that he’s not feeling good enough physically to go out and play,” Gomes said.
Roberts said the team hopes a rest day will allow Ohtani to recover mentally and physically, but a decision on his availability for Friday will be made later.
“We all saw last night he needed a day. We have to see how he feels tomorrow before making a decision,” Roberts said.
The Dodgers, whose record has been below .500 since July 1, indicated they prefer to keep Ohtani on the active roster and avoid an extended absence.