The Dodgers are in absolute crunch time, and just when they need all hands on deck, they’re facing major injury drama. Wednesday night’s game saw both Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman out of the lineup, with Ohtani officially headed to the injured list. This is a HUGE blow as they claw to stay ahead of the Atlanta Braves for that crucial second seed in the NL.
Ohtani’s IL Stint Kicks Off Late Season Panic
This Ohtani IL news? It’s a gut punch, for real. Jack Harris from the California Post confirmed it, and the earliest he can even *think* about returning is September 23. Do the math: that leaves just five regular season games on the schedule. Five games to get back into game shape, five games to contribute before the playoffs really get wild. The team has been winning more lately, yeah, but losing a guy like Ohtani this late? That’s not just a roster spot, that’s a massive power void in the lineup when every single game means everything.
Freddie Freeman’s Knee Scare Puts Everyone On Edge
And if Ohtani hitting the IL wasn’t enough, Freddie Freeman is grappling with a knee issue that kept him out Wednesday. The hope is that a night off, followed by a scheduled off day on Thursday, will be enough to get him back in the lineup for Friday’s game in Miami. Bill Shakin of the L.A. Times pointed out exactly why getting that first-round bye is so critical for the Dodgers, especially with these injury concerns. Giving their aging stars maximum rest before the playoffs begin? That’s the dream, and Freeman’s knee is threatening it.
Sonja Chen of MLB.com dove deeper into Freeman’s sore knee, noting the team doesn’t see an IL stint for him right now. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts put it bluntly: “Freddie does a really good job of hitting against his front side, and then when you can’t do that with your front side, your right knee, then you’re compromised. I see there’s a lot more swing-and-miss the last few days. That’s just not who he is.” Roberts stressed that putting Freeman on the IL is “absolutely not” a possibility, even if he might sit that first game of the Marlins series. They’ll assess him Friday, but the pressure is on.
So, all eyes are on Miami on Friday. Can Freeman get back in there and shake off that knee soreness? Every single swing, every single step matters. The Dodgers need to secure that bye, and they need their stars healthy to do it. This final stretch is going to be intense, and how they handle these injuries could define their whole postseason.
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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