Shohei Ohtani has missed his fourth consecutive game, sidelined with discomfort in his right biceps and left knee, and the Los Angeles Dodgers are playing it cool with their superstar. Manager Dave Roberts has offered up optimism about Ohtani’s progress, but make no mistake, when a four-time MVP is on the shelf, there’s always going to be some serious concern floating around. The cautious approach makes perfect sense considering just how insane Ohtani’s season has been so far.
Ohtani’s Numbers Are Absolutely Bonkers This Season
Let’s just look at the raw facts here, because they tell the whole story. Ohtani is batting .279 with an absolutely ridiculous 30 home runs. Add in 80 RBIs and 11 stolen bases across 499 at-bats, and you’ve got elite production at the top of any lineup in baseball. His .906 OPS is just another stat that screams “superstar.” But that’s only half the story, isn’t it? On the mound, Ohtani has been even more dominant. The right-hander boasts an 8-2 record with a sparkling 1.79 ERA through 14 starts. He’s punched out 95 hitters over 85⅔ innings while holding opponents to a measly 0.95 WHIP. Seriously, who else in baseball is doing that? Nobody, that’s who.
Why the Dodgers Are Playing It Smart
These insane numbers are exactly why the Dodgers aren’t taking any chances with Ohtani. You just don’t rush back a player who can influence a championship race the way he can. Losing his power at the plate is tough enough, but his ability to perform as a frontline starting pitcher means keeping him healthy is the top priority. It’s a huge decision for Los Angeles as they manage Ohtani heading into the postseason. It’s tough to watch, but his recent offensive struggles might even make this time away a good thing. Over his last six games, Ohtani has gone just 2-for-23 with 11 strikeouts, and his most recent homer was way back on August 18. That’s not the Ohtani we know, and a reset might be exactly what the doctor ordered.
The Dodgers desperately need their superstar back, but they need a healthy version of him even more. With 30 dingers and a sub-2.00 ERA, Ohtani has once again put together a season that very few players in baseball history could even dream of replicating. For Los Angeles, the goal isn’t just getting him back for some random game in September. It’s about ensuring Ohtani is absolutely locked and loaded when the games truly matter most, come October. That’s the real prize here, and that’s what everyone is looking forward to.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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