Dodgers Uncertain About Shohei Ohtani's Future, Impact Looms

Los Angeles — The situation surrounding Shohei Ohtani's health took another troubling turn. Persistent knee and bicep problems downgraded the two-way superstar to a one-way slugger for the rest of the year, leaving him primarily a spectator as the postseason approaches. Ohtani’s determination to play through his discomfort over the past three months, coupled with the Dodgers’ reluctance to place him on the injured list sooner, resulted in him missing the lineup for the sixth time in the last seven games on Wednesday. With only 16 games left in the regular season, the Dodgers faced the possibility of a much-needed IL stint for Ohtani, a decision expected to be made in the upcoming week. "Obviously, it's not ideal given that it would potentially be 15 days," said Manager Dave Roberts. "But I still stand by whatever is best for him is best for us." Last week, Ohtani struggled against the Cardinals, going 0-for-4 with four strikeouts and showing evident discomfort at the plate. At that point, he had experienced a slump of 6-for-46 without a home run over his last 12 games. Despite clear signs of injury affecting his performance, Dodgers General Manager Brandon Gomes attempted to downplay the severity of Ohtani's condition. Ohtani was given another day off on Tuesday after struggling in his brief return to the lineup on Monday, where he went 0-for-3 with a walk and two strikeouts. He was expected to start on Wednesday, but was again absent from the lineup, leading to further questions about his health.

Roberts explained that Ohtani had not fully recovered from a swing on Monday that caused pain. Communication regarding Ohtani's condition between him and the Dodgers was still proving difficult, with ongoing concerns about his arm affecting performance. Ohtani, who has not pitched since July 3, acknowledged a shift in focus solely to hitting as he battled his injuries. The Dodgers have avoided placing Ohtani on the IL since he joined the team in 2024, despite ongoing issues including knee pain and a bicep injury that required an injection. The organization had not engaged seriously in discussions about an IL placement until now, as performance continues to concern. With the end of the season nearing, Roberts expressed regret over the previous management of Ohtani's health, indicating he wished the situation had been handled differently. Although recognizing the player's struggles, he remained hopeful Ohtani could return before the season ended, albeit not at 100%.