Shohei Ohtani, the four-time MVP, has now missed his third straight game with left knee and right biceps discomfort, and the Los Angeles Dodgers are staring down a 15-day problem nobody wants. Because Ohtani is designated as a two-way player, putting him on the injured list means a minimum 15-day stint, not the usual 10. That’s a huge difference when you’re talking about one of the league’s biggest bats heading into crunch time.
Ohtani’s Bat Goes Cold, Demeanor Changes
Let’s be real, Ohtani hasn’t been Ohtani at the plate lately. He’s struggled hard, hitting a measly .137 with just one home run in his last 13 games. Combine that with him not pitching since July 3 as the Dodgers try to manage his health, and you’ve got a seriously concerning trend. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts even noted a change in Ohtani’s personality, saying when he doesn’t feel well physically, “he gets more short, and it’s just not the same personality.” That’s a gut punch for any team, seeing their superstar not quite right. Pete Crow-Armstrong from the Cubs is seizing control of the National League MVP race while Ohtani isn’t himself. The good news? Roberts said Ohtani took swings in the batting cages Saturday and didn’t report any discomfort, and his demeanor has apparently gotten “a lot more loose and easygoing” in the last couple days. So, a tiny glimmer, but the hitting slump is loud.
The “Deterrent” and The World Series Hunt
Roberts himself called an IL stint for Ohtani “more of a deterrent,” and you can see why. Even if they backdate it the maximum three days, it’s still a significant chunk of time without an elite hitter. This team, which boasts a commanding 10.5-game lead in the National League West, has its sights set on a third straight World Series title. Yeah, their rotation is stacked with Tarik Skubal, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell, and Tyler Glasnow, but Ohtani is the guy who can single-handedly carry an offense in October. Remember last year? Eight home runs in 17 postseason games, National League Championship Series MVP. That’s the firepower they need, the kind that can make or break a deep run.
The big question now is whether the Dodgers actually pull the trigger and put Ohtani on the 15-day IL. They’ve got that big division lead, which buys them some breathing room, but they absolutely need him healthy and locked in for the playoffs. That third straight World Series isn’t going to win itself, and Ohtani’s bat is a massive piece of that puzzle. We’ll be watching to see if his improved demeanor translates to a quick return, or if they take the cautious, deterrent route.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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