Dodgers Give Promising Shohei Ohtani Update Before Reds Series

The Los Angeles Dodgers have decided to scratch Shohei Ohtani from their lineup for the fourth consecutive game, as concerns over his health continue to mount. Ohtani, who is already sidelined from pitching, is now experiencing difficulties at bat as well. The team is carefully monitoring his condition in the hopes that his issues will resolve without the need for an Injury List (IL) stint.

However, with just a few weeks remaining in the postseason, the Dodgers are eager to determine their next steps with the injured star player.

According to MLB insider Jeff Passan, Ohtani is currently experiencing "all kinds of banged up" ailments, which could complicate the decision to place him on the IL. The two-way player would need to sit out for 15 days if placed on the injured list, rather than the usual 10 days for a position player. This extended absence could push the regular season further and further away, as the Dodgers race toward the postseason.

Ohtani's recent struggles at the plate have not helped his case. After going 0-for-4 against the St. Louis Cardinals last Wednesday, he has gone hitless in his subsequent games. His last at-bat was on July 30, and the 32-year-old has been dealing with a sore neck and biceps discomfort since then. Despite the Dodgers' strategy of resting him, his hitting has suffered, with a .143 average over his last seven games, including three walks and no home runs.

Manager Dave Roberts remains optimistic about Ohtani's return, believing that the recent positive signs indicate a potential improvement. He has already played catch in the batting cage, and if the trend continues, Roberts expects Ohtani to return to the DH role as early as Monday. However, the uncertainty surrounding his pitching future looms large. The Dodgers had initially hoped to have Ohtani ready for a return, but with only a limited time left in the regular season, that scenario now appears unlikely.

The manager emphasized that there isn't enough time to rebuild Ohtani's arm strength and pitching mechanics. "Not officially, but obviously, if you're looking at the calendar, how much he's thrown in the last week, I think we can all do the math," Roberts stated. The likelihood of Ohtani opening a game during the postseason is also slim, as the Dodgers prefer to rely on their pitching staff, including Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tarik Skubal, and others, to see them through the playoffs.