The Los Angeles Dodgers face a critical decision regarding Shohei Ohtani, who continues to experience discomfort in both his left knee and right biceps, more than three weeks after his last pitching appearance. Experts suggest the team must take Ohtani, who is reluctant to sit out, off the field by placing him on the 10-day injured list to allow for a genuine recovery.
Ohtani, despite a high pain threshold, has been playing as a designated hitter while nursing his injuries. However, the current approach appears to be progressing slower than anticipated, prompting calls for a more decisive intervention. Manager Dave Roberts has indicated that Ohtani is nearing a point where he would need to rebuild arm strength, making it imperative to address the issue now rather than closer to the playoffs.
The situation with catcher Will Smith serves as a potential lesson. Smith was sidelined by an inflamed disc in his neck and initially continued working out, but his condition did not improve. The Dodgers eventually shut him down, and he only became pain-free after a week of rest, subsequently resuming baseball activities.
Ohtani himself has acknowledged that his knee is not bothering him much, which still implies an underlying issue. He has noted a decrease in his running speed, impacting his ability to judge extra bases and potentially contributing to other compensatory injuries. He also admitted that he might not be pain-free until the offseason. His biceps issue, which he first publicly disclosed after pitching on July 3, has also been a point of concern. Roberts speculated that Ohtani's knee problems could be affecting his upper body and arm mechanics.
Ohtani last pitched on July 3 against the San Diego Padres and subsequently skipped a start before the All-Star break. A bullpen session in Philadelphia last week reportedly re-aggravated his biceps issue, which Roberts linked to his lower body mechanics.
With the Dodgers holding a significant lead in the National League West, the team is in a strong position to absorb Ohtani's absence for a short period. Placing him on the injured list would remove the decision from his hands and provide him with a much-needed opportunity to rest and recover fully. This measure is seen as crucial for the team's postseason aspirations, as a healthy Ohtani is vital for their chances of competing for a championship.