Shohei Ohtani’s .795 OPS in August wasn’t just his worst calendar month since April 2022; it’s a flashing red light telling the Dodgers they might have a massive decision coming. This isn’t about some average hitter, right? This is Ohtani, and when his numbers dip like that, something’s up, especially when the team expects him to be cruising at a .900 OPS or higher.
Is Ohtani’s Arm Hurting His Bat?
The last time Ohtani was dealing from the mound for the Dodgers was way back on July 3. Since then, he’s been battling some nagging issues: left knee inflammation and right biceps discomfort. These aren’t minor league dings; they’ve kept him from the rubber, even as he pushes through rehab and throwing progressions. Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller isn’t holding back, asking the tough question: if this pitching rehab is messing with his hitting, is it even worth it? Miller wrote that “Unless they can somehow definitively rule that out, Dave Roberts and the Dodgers’ high-level decision-makers need to start asking themselves if it’s really worth it to continue with his pitching rehab.” It’s hard to argue with that when we see the impact on his plate performance.
The Dodgers Don’t Even Need Ohtani on the Mound
Here’s the kicker: do the Dodgers even need Ohtani to pitch right now? Probably not. They’re stacked with an absolutely dynamite starting rotation, assuming everyone stays healthy, for any postseason push. We’re talking Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tarik Skubal, Blake Snell, and Tyler Glasnow, all of them rocking a sub-2.85 ERA for the year. That’s a rotation most teams would kill for, meaning the pressure isn’t on Ohtani’s arm to carry the staff. Miller’s advice makes a ton of sense: for Ohtani’s overall health and the monster impact he can have at the plate, the Dodgers should seriously consider shutting him down from pitching for the rest of the year. Especially with the news he’s not “100% yet.”
The question hangs heavy over Dodger Stadium: do they keep pushing for Ohtani’s pitching return, risking more dips at the plate, or do they make the tough call and let him focus on being the generational hitter they need him to be? What they decide next could shape the rest of their season.
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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