In a notable decision, the Los Angeles Dodgers have opted to hold Shohei Ohtani out of the lineup for their series finale against the St. Louis Cardinals. This announcement came just hours before the game, raising further questions about Ohtani's ongoing health issues, which have been under scrutiny for much of the season.
Ohtani's recent struggles have been particularly concerning, as he has not taken the mound since July 3 due to persistent soreness. His last attempt to pitch was a bullpen session last Friday, where he aimed to prepare for a potential return against the Detroit Tigers. However, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts indicated that Ohtani was not feeling “100%,” leading to a delay in his pitching comeback.
Roberts described Ohtani's condition as a combination of issues affecting his left knee and right biceps. While Ohtani remained in the batting order for previous games, Roberts had mentioned that he would reassess the situation if swinging the bat began to impact Ohtani's performance. This concern seemed more pronounced following Ohtani's performance on Wednesday, where he went 0 for 4, extending his slump to just two hits in his last 23 at-bats.
After the Dodgers' 8-6 loss to the Cardinals, Roberts acknowledged the visible signs of discomfort in Ohtani's swings, stating, “I saw the shaking of the arm, I saw the wincing, and clearly the swings aren’t who he is.” This prompted Roberts to consider a conversation with Ohtani regarding his availability moving forward.
Despite these health concerns, Roberts noted that a stint on the injured list for Ohtani was “very unlikely,” emphasizing the need for communication between the player and the training staff. Ohtani has not spoken to reporters in over two weeks, and his desire to contribute to the team remains evident, according to Roberts. “He definitely doesn’t want to take the day [off],” Roberts remarked, highlighting Ohtani's commitment to being in the lineup whenever possible.
Managing Ohtani's health is crucial for the Dodgers, especially as they navigate the latter part of the season. The two-way star has been dealing with knee inflammation since mid-June, and his biceps issue has reoccurred multiple times this season. Ohtani's recovery process has faced setbacks, particularly after receiving an Orthovisc injection to alleviate knee pain during the All-Star break.
While Ohtani's value as a pitcher is significant, his offensive contributions are even more critical for the Dodgers, particularly with the recent addition of left-hander Tarik Skubal to the rotation. If attempting to pitch further compromises Ohtani's batting performance, the Dodgers may need to prioritize his role as a hitter over his pitching duties.
As the Dodgers prepare for their matchup against the Cardinals, Tommy Edman is set to lead off and play center field, while Alex Call will take on the designated hitter role batting eighth. The team's ability to adapt without Ohtani will be closely watched as they aim to maintain their competitive edge in the league.
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