Shohei Ohtani was again absent from the Los Angeles Dodgers' lineup on Tuesday, a day after returning from a four-game absence attributed to left knee and right arm injuries. His swift exit from the lineup raises renewed questions about the star player's ongoing health.
Ohtani had been back in the starting lineup for Monday's series opener against the Cincinnati Reds. However, following an 0-for-3 performance at the plate, which included two strikeouts and a walk, he was not in the lineup for Tuesday's game. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts had indicated after Monday's game that Ohtani's availability for Tuesday would depend on how he felt. Roberts had noted that Ohtani "came out of [the game] feeling good," and the team was encouraged that his recent days off had aided his recovery. It remained unclear by Tuesday whether that status had changed.
There was no prior indication that another day off for Ohtani was imminent. The current situation suggests a cautious approach to managing his persistent health issues, as the 32-year-old continues to navigate lingering physical problems that are preventing him from resuming everyday duties. The team is scheduled to have an off day on Thursday, potentially offering another opportunity for rest before he returns to action.
Ohtani's recent performance has also shown a dip, with his hitless outing on Monday extending a slump to 6-for-49 dating back to mid-August. This stretch represents the worst of his season, which has been marked by ups and downs partly due to his injury management.