Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani is out of the lineup for the second consecutive game, as he manages his two injuries.
Manager Dave Roberts addressed the decision to sit Ohtani, citing treatment as a reason for the rest. "The soreness of the knee. Yesterday went in there for treatment, it was best to give him a day," Roberts said.
The Japanese star has been dealing with left knee discomfort and biceps soreness, both injuries that have appeared more than once over the last month. Ohtani's two-way work, mainly his pitching, has been the main reason behind his pitching and hitting ailments.
Roberts was appreciative of Ohtani's honesty about his knee, especially since it is up to how the star feels. "I appreciate the communication. I can't read minds; for him to communicate that allows us to make the decision," Roberts said.
If needed, Ohtani is available to pinch hit on Thursday, per Roberts, and the skipper is confident that the designated hitter will be back on Friday. The Dodgers and Ohtani are focusing and prioritizing his hitting because of their pitching depth and their need for his bat more than his arm at this point in the season.
The Dodgers will be giving Ohtani every chance to play when possible, as long as there is minimal risk of aggravation. However, simply icing him out until October is not feasible if they want the ace-level pitcher that Ohtani is at his apex.
Barring a big change in how things go, Ohtani will be pitching in the playoffs and will return at the latest in September if his progress continues, possibly even mid-August at the earliest. The Dodgers would likely rest Ohtani until the playoffs and then roll him out as a pitcher in the rotation.
Source: Yahoo Sports