In a recent press conference, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts revealed that the team is contemplating a potential pitching shutdown for their two-way star Shohei Ohtani. This decision comes as Ohtani continues to struggle with injuries, raising concerns about his performance as the regular season progresses.
During the Dodgers' 8-6 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals on September 3, Ohtani had a particularly challenging game, going hitless in four at-bats and striking out four times. This marked the first time this season that Ohtani struck out four times in a game, a stark contrast to his previous performance where he had only two such games from 2023 through 2025. Roberts noted that Ohtani appeared to be in discomfort, shaking his right arm and wincing, which prompted further discussions about his health.
"You could see the swing wasn’t the swing that we’re used to seeing," Roberts commented, emphasizing that Ohtani is not performing at his optimal level. He described Ohtani's struggles as "the tip of the iceberg," indicating that these issues have been apparent over the past few weeks. The Dodgers manager expressed the need to assess Ohtani's physical condition with both the player and the training staff before making any definitive decisions.
Ohtani's season has been impressive overall, with a batting average of .279, 30 home runs, and 80 RBIs through 129 games. However, his recent performance has raised alarms, as he has gone just 2 for 23 (.087) with no extra-base hits or RBIs in his last six games, accumulating 11 strikeouts during that stretch. This decline in performance has led to discussions about whether a brief rest could help him regain his strength.
Roberts stated, "Is a day or two, or I mean, shoot, even 10 days, is that going to help get him to be 100%? I don’t know the answer," highlighting the uncertainty surrounding Ohtani's recovery. He acknowledged that while Ohtani is resistant to taking time off, it may not be beneficial for him or the team if he continues to play while injured.
As Ohtani has not pitched since July 3 due to knee and arm issues, the possibility of a season-ending shutdown has also been discussed. Roberts confirmed that there is no set timeline for this decision, saying, "It is an option. We’re not there quite yet, but it’s certainly an option." The manager emphasized the importance of Ohtani's health, noting that if he is not at 100%, it could affect his offensive performance.
The Dodgers currently hold a strong position in the National League, boasting an 82-57 record and leading the NL West by nine games over the Arizona Diamondbacks. However, they have struggled recently, going 4-6 in their last ten games and losing three of their last four contests. With the regular season nearing its conclusion, Roberts remains optimistic about finding a solution for Ohtani's issues, stating, "We’re in September, but I still feel like there are enough days left on the calendar of the season that we have plenty of time to make whatever decision we make and have him come out of it in a better spot."
As the Dodgers prepare for the series finale against the Cardinals, scheduled for 10:10 p.m. EDT on Thursday, the team is looking to avoid a sweep and regain momentum during their nine-game home stand.
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