Shohei Ohtani, the Los Angeles Dodgers' star two-way player, has been placed on the injured list for the first time with the team, a move described by manager Dave Roberts as "the right thing to do" after a season-long saga of injury concerns that now threaten his availability for the playoffs.

Roberts initially characterized Ohtani's knee issues in mid-June as a minor concern, but the situation has evolved significantly. Ohtani has been shut down as a pitcher, and his struggles at the plate in recent weeks, coupled with persistent pain, prompted the IL move.

A Season of Lingering Issues

The timeline of Ohtani's injury woes began in early June. After a dominant pitching performance on June 10, Ohtani reported swelling in his left knee the following night while serving as the designated hitter. The team proactively removed him from the game, but after rest and initial imaging showing no further damage, he was reinserted into the lineup less than a week later, even hitting a leadoff home run in his return.

Despite Ohtani's assertion that he could continue playing without uncertainty, his pitching performance on June 17 showed he was not at 100%. He acknowledged lingering knee issues and battled a blister on his fingers, yet still threw 91 pitches and pinch-hit in the same game.

July marked a critical turning point. On July 3, Ohtani made what would be his final pitching appearance of the season, leaving the game with tightness in his right biceps. He later revealed he had experienced a similar issue about a month prior, a detail that had not been widely known. By July 10, the Dodgers announced Ohtani would skip his final pitching start before the All-Star break and forgo the festivities to receive a lubricant injection for his knee.

Despite these setbacks, the Dodgers did not place Ohtani on the IL, maintaining the belief that his injuries primarily affected his pitching. Hopes remained that he could resume his two-way role after the break. However, a pitching ramp-up session on July 22 led to a regression in his knee condition, forcing the team to re-evaluate his throwing plan.

Dual Injuries and Playoff Concerns

By late July, Ohtani also revealed that his right arm was not feeling right, in addition to his knee. He indicated that the pain from both issues might not fully subside by the end of the season. Despite these growing concerns, Ohtani continued to play as DH, starting in 30 consecutive games after a day off on July 30.

In late August, the Dodgers allowed Ohtani to attempt another pitching ramp-up. While initial bullpen sessions were manageable, discomfort in both his knee and arm returned after a live batting practice session on August 28. This led to the cancellation of his tentatively scheduled return to the mound. Roberts stated that Ohtani's offensive value was too important to risk impacting with throwing.

Even as Ohtani's swing appeared to be affected by his physical issues, leading to a slump, the team was still considering him pitching. However, on September 2, Ohtani went 0-for-4 with four strikeouts and showed visible arm pain. This prompted his first extended break of the season, holding him out for four games.

Upon his return on Monday, his arm pain persisted. According to Roberts, Ohtani did not alert the team to his discomfort until the following evening, after he had again been removed from the lineup. This led to the Dodgers finally placing him on the IL.

Ohtani's pitching duties are now officially over for the season, and he is expected to enter the playoffs with lingering physical concerns affecting his hitting. While the Dodgers remain hopeful for his offensive contribution, the handling of his injuries throughout the season has drawn reflection, with Roberts acknowledging the need to learn from the experience and recognize that Ohtani is not immune to physical limitations.