Ohtani Out Again as Dodgers Host Nationals

Shohei Ohtani was out of the Los Angeles Dodgers' lineup for the second consecutive game on Friday, missing the series opener against the Washington Nationals. The two-way star continues to manage knee and biceps injuries, as reported by the New York Post and Heavy.

Ohtani also missed Thursday's game against the St. Louis Cardinals, a 3–2 Dodgers win, due to biceps and neck issues, according to manager Dave Roberts.

Differing Views From the Dodgers Brass

Roberts said Ohtani hasn't looked like himself for the last couple of weeks and acknowledged that some time off might benefit the four-time MVP. His comments came after Ohtani's four-strikeout performance on Wednesday, in which he appeared visibly pained, lamented in the same report.

General manager Brandon Gomes, by contrast, downplayed the severity of Ohtani's ailments, saying he remained hopeful the player would return to the mound this year and that Thursday's day off was a response to the clear discomfort he showed on Wednesday.

The New York Post reported that both Roberts and Gomes insisted, as of Thursday, that an injured-list stint was unlikely.

Ohtani's Season at the Plate

Ohtani entered Friday with a 499 at-bats, 37 hits, 24 home runs, and 66 RBIs, per Heavy. He holds a .279 batting average, a .906 OPS, and a .525 slugging percentage, as reported by Heavy.

The Dodgers improved to 83–57 after Thursday's 3–2 win over the Cardinals, with the Nationals set to visit Los Angeles for the weekend series, as reported by Heavy.