Shohei Ohtani was absent from the Los Angeles Dodgers' lineup on Thursday, continuing a troubling stretch of injury-related setbacks for the two-way star. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts indicated that the team is considering giving Ohtani some time off to manage ongoing knee and biceps problems.
Ohtani, who has been unable to pitch since early July due to a knee issue, appeared to be experiencing renewed discomfort in his right biceps on Wednesday night. During an 0-for-4 performance in Wednesday's game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Ohtani registered a season-high four strikeouts. Roberts acknowledged that Ohtani "was not close to optimal" with his swing during that outing.
The most concerning moment came in Ohtani's final at-bat in the 10th inning, when he reportedly shook his arm and grimaced after each of his four swings. "Time off obviously seems logical," Roberts stated Wednesday night, adding that "conversations would be had with Ohtani and the training staff" before Thursday's game.
While Roberts suggested that a stint on the injured list was unlikely, noting that it might not fully resolve Ohtani's physical limitations, the manager did not rule out a more extended period of rest. It remains unclear if Thursday's absence from the lineup was a one-day breather or the beginning of a longer break. The situation highlights the compromised physical state of the four-time MVP as the regular season enters its final stretch. "I think where we're at," Roberts said, "he's just going to have to find a way to make do and do the best he can."