Shohei Ohtani made his return to the Los Angeles Dodgers’ lineup as designated hitter on Monday night, back in his usual leadoff spot for the series opener against the Cincinnati Reds. The superstar had been sidelined for four days, dealing with a cocktail of left knee, right biceps, and neck soreness, and manager Dave Roberts was blunt before the game, saying he hoped they wouldn’t see the “wincing we saw a handful of nights ago” from Ohtani at the plate. Roberts admitted he was “very curious to see how he comes out of tonight” before making any decisions for the days to come.
The Big Question: What’s Up With Ohtani’s Arm?
Here’s the real gut punch for anyone who loves the two-way phenom: it’s “increasingly unlikely” Ohtani will pitch again this season. This isn’t exactly news if you’ve been watching, considering he hasn’t pitched in a game since way back on July 3, and he hasn’t even thrown a bullpen session since August 28. Roberts literally said, “We’ve put a pin in throwing,” making it crystal clear his focus is on Ohtani “focusing on the hitting, the running, keeping his legs good and doing whatever it takes to help us win.” When pressed to define “put a pin in throwing,” Roberts’ answer was a head-scratcher: “it’s not dead but we have no timetable for when he’s going to pick up a baseball.” Why not just shut it down? Roberts simply stated, “I’m choosing not to say it’s dead.” Ohtani himself hasn’t spoken to the media since August 17, so his thoughts are locked down, but Roberts claims Ohtani is “happy” to be back and “completely fine” with ditching pitching for now. The Dodgers are banking on this move to help the four-time MVP “lock in on hitting and get back on track” after he’d “not appearing to be himself at the plate.”
The Bat’s Back, But The Slump Is Real
Speaking of not being himself, Ohtani’s season numbers are solid, with a .279 average, 30 homers, and 80 RBIs. But dig a little deeper, and the post-All-Star break numbers tell a different story: he’s batting a mere .250, with just eight home runs and 22 RBIs in 41 games. Meanwhile, the NL West-leading Dodgers didn’t miss a beat without him, winning all four games during his absence, including a sweep of the Washington Nationals. Utility player Tommy Edman stepped up huge in Ohtani’s leadoff spot for those four games, tearing it up with a .412 average, going 7 for 17 with a home run, four RBIs, and five runs scored. Edman was slated to bat third and play second on Monday night. Despite Ohtani’s recent struggles, Roberts isn’t moving him from the leadoff spot yet, saying, “I think he’s our best hitter. I think the best player should have the most latitude.” But even Roberts isn’t sure how long that will last, admitting, “Is it forever? I don’t know. Is it until the end of the season? I don’t know yet.”
What’s Next For Ohtani?
So, Ohtani’s back in the box, but that arm is shelved indefinitely. The Dodgers, being the NL West leaders, clearly prioritize team success, and Roberts even said, “Yes, he loves pitching, loves being a two-way player, but right now it just doesn’t make any sense. It’s more of what’s best for the team, number one, and 1A, what’s best for him.” It’s all about his bat for now. Can he shake off that post-All-Star slump and unleash the power we all know he has? We’ll be watching every swing as the Dodgers push forward.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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