Ohtani Sits Out Again as Dodgers Manage Injuries
LOS ANGELES — Shohei Ohtani remained out of the Los Angeles Dodgers' starting lineup for Friday night's series opener against the Washington Nationals, marking the second straight day the two-way star has not started. It is the first time this season Ohtani has not started back-to-back games, according to MLB News.
Ohtani is dealing with soreness in his right biceps, neck, and left knee, symptoms that have not improved in recent weeks, the Associated Press reported. He is considered day to day, and ongoing conversations between Ohtani, manager Dave Roberts, and the training staff will determine his availability moving forward.
Ohtani did not participate in baseball activities on Thursday and was unavailable to pinch-hit in the ninth inning, when the Dodgers walked off the St. Louis Cardinals, 3-2, without him, MLB News reported.
Manager's Assessment
Roberts said before Friday's game that Ohtani was "pretty jovial" while watching Thursday's game from the dugout, calling him "more kind of upbeat than I've seen him in months," according to the Associated Press. Despite that, Roberts remained noncommittal about a potential injured list stint, saying he was "hopeful" but not "confident" about Ohtani's status.
Roberts also addressed Ohtani's recent performance, which has been affected by his ailments. "What we saw a couple nights ago wasn't him, so clearly he was not feeling well," he said, according to the Associated Press. Roberts noted Ohtani has not admitted his performance has been impacted, but the manager observed otherwise.
Ohtani has been "very agreeable" about the team's cautious approach, Roberts said. "He wants to be out there, wants to play," Roberts said, "but he's understanding that whatever decision we make is the best interest for him and the team." Ohtani has not spoken to the media in nearly three weeks, according to the Associated Press.
Team's Stance on Injured List
General manager Brandon Gomes said the Dodgers have "no reason" to place Ohtani on the injured list at this point, MLB News reported. "I think not having Shohei in the lineup for 10 days or whatever it would be is something that we would prefer not to do," Gomes said. "It really hasn't even been something that we've discussed."
Roberts echoed that sentiment, telling reporters he considers an IL stint "unlikely, but not impossible," per MLB News.
Ohtani's Recent Performance and Pitching Status
Ohtani is batting .279 with 30 home runs and 80 RBIs this season, according to the Associated Press. However, his production has dipped recently, with no RBIs in his last 12 games while going 6-for-42, according to NBC Sports. He also recorded his seventh career four-strikeout game in Thursday's contest.
The injuries have kept Ohtani from pitching since July 3, according to NBC Sports. He was expected to make a one-inning start on Sunday against the Detroit Tigers, but he did not feel 100 percent after a bullpen session, so that plan was scrapped. Roberts said Ohtani will not throw for at least a week.
Roberts said the possibility of shutting Ohtani down as a pitcher is on the table, though no decision has been made. "His value offensively is hugely important, so if throwing potentially cuts into that, that's not worth the squeeze," Roberts said, as reported by NBC Sports. The manager added that if any other player had Ohtani's ailments, the club would not let them pitch either.
Lineup Adjustments
With Ohtani out, Tommy Edman took the leadoff spot and Alex Call started at designated hitter for the second consecutive game, according to MLB News and NBC Sports. Edman went 4 for 5 with two runs scored on Thursday, the Associated Press reported.