On Tuesday night, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confidently stated that Shohei Ohtani would be in the lineup the following day. However, when Wednesday’s lineup was released, the two‑way star was once again absent.
Instead, Ohtani was absent from the Dodgers’ batting order for the sixth time in the last seven games. His latest off day was perhaps the most alarming, given Roberts’ insistence he would be back the night before.
Ohtani’s health status has become a growing concern for the Dodgers over the last week, dating back to a four‑strikeout game last Wednesday in which he displayed visible pain at the plate amid his ongoing left knee and right arm injuries.
The day after that contest, Ohtani missed the first of four straight games while the club granted his body an extended rest period.
He returned to the lineup on Monday, going 0‑for‑3 while drawing a walk.
When he sat out again on Tuesday, Roberts characterized the decision as a form of “load management,” noting that the team would seek additional opportunities to give him days off down the stretch.
Roberts insisted that the two‑way star—who has already been removed from the rotation for the remainder of the season—was available off the bench late in that night’s game.
He also indicated that Ohtani would be back for Wednesday’s series finale against the Reds, expecting to start before the team’s scheduled off day on Thursday.
Now, more questions abound about Ohtani’s availability. It wasn’t immediately clear why he had been held out on Wednesday, and Roberts was scheduled to address reporters later in the afternoon.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
