Shohei Ohtani has been completely absent from the Dodgers lineup for three straight games, and honestly, the team hasn’t even blinked. They’re on a three-game winning streak right now, with a chance to sweep the Washington Nationals on Sunday. Talk about picking up the pieces! But even with the team cruising, the big question looms: what’s going on with Ohtani?
The “Straw That Broke the Camel’s Back” For Ohtani’s Bat
Okay, so let’s be real. Ohtani hasn’t been himself lately. Over his last 12 games, his slash line is a putrid .130/.298/.196. We’re talking one double, one triple, and four RBI. That’s just not the guy we know, you know? The absolute kicker was Wednesday’s game, where he went up to the plate and struck out four times. Four! That’s when the Dodgers really started thinking about moving him to the injured list. This isn’t just a physical thing; manager Dave Roberts sees this time off as a chance for a full mental and physical reset for the superstar. Sonja Chen of MLB.com noted he was able to hit in the cage during Saturday’s 6-5 win, which is something, but the team’s gonna make a call on that IL stint real soon. Roberts even said, “If it doesn’t feel good today, then [the IL] certainly should be on the table.” He’s even hoping a shorter stint, maybe “six, seven, eight days,” could be better than the full 15 if Ohtani is “trending in the right direction.” That sounds like a tough spot for everyone.
Tommy Edman Is Straight Up Hero Mode
While Ohtani’s bat has been missing, Tommy Edman has been absolutely crushing it. This dude has stepped up in a massive way, not only filling in at center field for the injured Andy Pages but also taking over the leadoff spot. And guess what? He’s owning it! Sam Farmer of the Los Angeles Times reported Edman was the hero in Saturday’s win. He made a highlight reel play in center field, then smashed a go-ahead three-run home run in the seventh inning to give the Dodgers a 5-4 lead. What a clutch performance! Edman is all about that versatility, saying, “It’s definitely something that makes me valuable to the team, especially late in the year when guys get banged up. Losing [Pages] is a huge loss. I take pride in being able to fill that role a little. I’m not completely filling what he left behind, but I’m trying my best. That’s important to any championship team.” That’s the kind of gritty leadership you want.
September Is Their New Spring Training
Meanwhile, Ohtani’s chances of ever returning to the mound seem to shrink with each passing day. It’s almost an afterthought at this point. But the Dodgers, being the Dodgers, are already prepping their postseason rotation. Dylan Hernandez of the California Post made it sound like September for them is basically another version of spring training. They’re using this time to get their pitching staff absolutely dialed in for what they hope is another deep postseason run, just like they’ve done the last two years.
So, the Dodgers are facing a tough decision on Ohtani’s health, but they’re still winning games and getting their pitching ready for the big dance. They’re playing for a chance to sweep the Nationals on Sunday. You gotta wonder if Ohtani will make it back to the lineup or if that IL decision comes down before then. Either way, it’s never a dull moment with this team.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by True Blue LA.
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