Los Angeles Dodgers General Manager Brandon Gomes stated that Shohei Ohtani's recent hitting difficulties are not the result of injuries, describing the star player as "a victim of his own greatness." This assertion comes as Ohtani has struggled, going six for his last 46 at the plate, with only one home run in his last 21 games played outside of Denver.
Gomes insisted that there is "nothing overly concerning at this point," characterizing Ohtani's situation as day-to-day. He suggested that Ohtani might even pitch again this season. Manager Dave Roberts expressed confidence that the team would "see the guy we all expect to see."
The team's official stance contrasts with observations of Ohtani appearing to be in physical distress, including shaking his arm and having trouble braking while sprinting. Gomes acknowledged that the team took Ohtani out of the lineup for the series finale against the St. Louis Cardinals on September 3, 2026, after a four-strikeout game the previous night, indicating they then "leaped into action." He stated that communication with Ohtani has been good and that the decision to continue playing him was based on what was believed to be best for both the player and the team at the time.
However, questions persist regarding the Dodgers' management of Ohtani's workload and potential injuries. Some critical viewpoints suggested placing Ohtani on the injured list over a month prior, a move that did not occur. The team's offensive performance reportedly differs significantly when Ohtani is hitting effectively compared to when he is not, underscoring the importance of his contribution to the team's success.