Shohei Ohtani is back to hitting off a tee ahead of Tuesday’s game against the Cincinnati Reds. You’d think that’s good news, a sign of recovery, right? Don’t let that one fact fool you. The Dodgers kept him off the injured list for a full week, holding him out of six of their last seven games, before they finally made the move. This isn’t just a minor bump in the road; this guy has been battling a combination of injuries that have plagued him for the entire second half of the season, and it’s getting ugly just weeks before the postseason.
Ohtani’s Body Is Breaking Down
It feels like a lifetime ago, but Ohtani was in full-on Cy Young conversations before his knee injury slammed the brakes on his pitching season back in July. He hasn’t started on the mound since July 3, and honestly, with such little time left, there’s zero chance he pitches again in 2026. But the knee wasn’t even the whole story. He revealed after the All-Star break he was also grinding through a biceps injury, which only got worse, eventually affecting his neck too. That whole mess is what finally landed him on the injured list. This isn’t just a bruised ego; this is a player whose body is screaming for a break, and it’s happening at the absolute worst time for a team chasing a three-peat.
The Numbers Are Getting Hard to Ignore
Yeah, Ohtani has played in 134 games as a batter, and he still clocks in with some great overall numbers. We’re talking 30 homers, his sixth consecutive season hitting that mark, and 80 RBIs. His .902 OPS is his lowest since 2022, but that’s still an incredible number for most guys. However, you gotta look closer at what’s happening RIGHT NOW. Since August 18, Ohtani has just seven hits in 54 at-bats. Seven hits! His OPS during that stretch is a shocking .529, good for a 58 wRC+. That’s not just a slump; that’s a full-blown crisis for arguably your most important player heading into the biggest games of the year.
The Dodgers knew they had to plan for Ohtani potentially being out. They traded for All-Star lefty Tarik Skubal at the deadline, which felt like overkill then but looks genius now, ensuring they still have a full rotation. Plus, Josue De Paula, their top prospect, got called up to fill the DH spot and impressed right away against the Marlins. They’ve got talent, no doubt, but Ohtani is *the* guy.
The Dodgers are aiming for their third consecutive World Series title, and getting Ohtani back on track for the postseason is everything. He’s hitting off a tee, but they need the real Shohei, the guy who was in Cy Young talks and hitting bombs, not the one slugging .529. This recovery time has to work.
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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