Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani will not be in the lineup for Thursday night's game against the St. Louis Cardinals, as the team continues to manage his ongoing physical concerns. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts addressed the media prior to the game, reiterating that Ohtani's health is the top priority, outweighing the need to have him in the lineup.
Ohtani's absence follows a challenging performance in the previous night's game, where he went 0-for-4 with four strikeouts in the Dodgers' 8-6 loss to the Cardinals, which extended into ten innings. After the game, Roberts indicated that Ohtani was "not close to optimal" physically, highlighting the need for careful management of the player's condition.
Roberts further clarified that Ohtani's status is being evaluated on a day-to-day basis. Although Ohtani is eager to play, Roberts emphasized that he will not rush the four-time MVP back into action simply because of his star status. "He’s day-to-day," Roberts stated. "He wants to be in there, but I’m not gonna just put him in there because of the name on the back of his jersey." This statement underscores the critical role Ohtani plays for the Dodgers, as they aim for a successful postseason.
Ohtani has been dealing with multiple health issues, including problems with his right biceps and neck, as well as concerns regarding his left knee. Roberts noted that Ohtani's symptoms have not improved in recent weeks, and the team is focused on determining the best course of action for his recovery moving forward.
In addition to his absence from the lineup, Ohtani's return to pitching remains uncertain. He has not taken the mound since July 3 due to ongoing issues with his left knee and right biceps. Although he participated in a 20-pitch bullpen session last Friday, he was later scratched from a potential start against the Detroit Tigers.
Roberts acknowledged that the possibility of Ohtani not pitching again this season is a consideration, although the Dodgers remain hopeful for his return to the mound. Before being sidelined, Ohtani had an impressive record of 8-2 with a 1.79 ERA over 14 starts, making the decision to rest him particularly significant.
The Dodgers are in pursuit of another World Series title, but they recognize that a healthy Ohtani is essential as the postseason approaches. With several weeks left in the regular season, the team is committed to navigating this situation carefully to ensure Ohtani's long-term health is prioritized over immediate lineup needs.
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