Shohei Ohtani is officially out of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ lineup for the second game in a row this Friday, sidelined with a slew of assorted injuries that manager Dave Roberts is labeling “day-to-day.” This isn’t just a routine rest day; it’s a huge flashing red light for the reigning National League MVP, especially after his manager’s blunt assessment.
Roberts Is Hopeful, But Not Confident
You know it’s getting real when a manager is dropping quotes like this: Roberts told reporters that Ohtani is “not close to optimal.” Yikes. That’s a tough read on the superstar. Ohtani’s absence on Friday follows him sitting out Thursday’s narrow 3-2 win over the St. Louis Cardinals. What triggered this latest concern? He reportedly struck out a whopping four times in Wednesday’s game. That kind of performance from a player of Ohtani’s caliber screams that something isn’t right.
Despite the back-to-back absences and those concerning strikeouts, Roberts is still holding onto hope that Ohtani will avoid landing on the injured list. But don’t mistake that for confidence. Roberts admitted, “Hopeful,” when asked about the IL, quickly adding, “I wouldn’t say confident, but hopeful.” That’s not exactly a ringing endorsement that Ohtani will be back swinging a hot bat anytime soon. With him out, Alex Call stepped into the designated hitter spot for Friday’s game against the Washington Nationals, batting seventh. Tommy Edman got the nod to lead off and play center field. Talk about big shoes to fill.
The Lingering Pain Is Getting Worse
So, what exactly is bothering the 32-year-old phenom? The source points to persistent pain in his right biceps and left knee. These aren’t new issues, either. These same problems were what initially held Ohtani back from getting back on the pitcher’s mound this season. But now, it’s not just about his arm; these lingering aches are straight-up affecting his hitting, which is a major concern. When a two-way star starts struggling on both sides of the ball because of the same underlying issues, you know it’s serious.
His August Numbers Don’t Lie
If you needed more proof that Ohtani is playing through some serious discomfort, just look at his August statistics. Last month, he still managed to slug 6 home runs, which is impressive, but that power came at a cost. He only tallied 3 doubles and compiled a slash line of .241/.322/.472 across 121 plate appearances. Those numbers are a significant drop-off, “far below what he’d been producing for the previous four months of the season.” That kind of dip is not just a slump; it’s a clear indication that the physical toll is catching up to him, and it’s impacting his production in a big way. The Dodgers need him at full strength, and right now, he’s clearly not there.
What happens next is anyone’s guess, but the Dodgers are going to be watching Ohtani’s “day-to-day” status like a hawk. Every fan in baseball should be too. Will Roberts’ hope pay off, or will the reigning MVP finally have to hit the injured list? We will have to wait for the next update to see how this story plays out.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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