Shohei Ohtani to Remain in Dodgers Lineup for NLCS Game 3 Amidst Injury Concerns
Manager Dave Roberts confirms the superstar's continued participation despite a slump and existing injuries.
Shohei Ohtani will continue to be a part of the Los Angeles Dodgers' starting lineup for Game 3 of the National League Championship Series, manager Dave Roberts announced Tuesday. This decision comes despite Ohtani's recent hitting slump and ongoing injuries to his left knee and right arm, which had fueled speculation about a potential benching.
Roberts made the announcement during an off-day workout, addressing the uncertainty that had surrounded Ohtani's availability. The superstar designated hitter had his most challenging postseason performance in Game 2 of the NLCS against the Milwaukee Brewers, going 0-for-4 with two strikeouts. This performance, coupled with a .150 batting average in the playoffs with no extra-base hits or RBIs, led Roberts to initially suggest the possibility of benching Ohtani.
Earlier, a source familiar with the situation indicated that the decision would hinge on Ohtani's own assessment of his health. His continued presence in the lineup suggests he feels capable of performing his role, as the Dodgers aim to avoid a 3-0 series deficit, a situation from which only one team in MLB history has recovered in a best-of-seven playoff series.
Ohtani has been managing injuries since June, when a left knee problem initially sidelined him as a pitcher. His right arm issues also became more pronounced late in the regular season, leading to a stint on the injured list in September and contributing to a home run drought that began in mid-August. Despite these challenges, the Dodgers had hoped for a significant offensive contribution from Ohtani in the postseason.
Even after a less-than-stellar performance in the NL Division Series and a subsequent drop in the batting order, Dodgers leadership, including president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman, had expressed confidence in Ohtani's eventual impact. Monday's Game 2 performance, however, marked a new low for his postseason thus far, prompting the team to re-evaluate his status before ultimately deciding to keep him in the lineup for Game 3.