The Los Angeles Dodgers continue to weigh their options when it comes to Shohei Ohtani's status.Ohtani was not in the starting lineup as a designated hitter for a third straight game as the Dodgers took on the Washington Nationals on Saturday, Sept. 5.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is “hopeful” that Ohtani won’t need a stint on the injury list, but the team continues to take a "day-to-day" approach with him.
Ohtani had been a constant fixture in the lineup, not having missed a game since July 30 before this latest absence.
Ohtani had some discomfort in his biceps and neck during the Dodgers' 8-6 home loss to the St. Louis Cardinals at Dodger Stadium on Sept. 2. He went 0-for-4, but did walk and score a run.
Ohtani was working toward his first pitching
start since July 3, when knee inflammation and biceps discomfort kept him off the mound. Ohtani had a short bullpen session on Aug. 28, but it wasn’t enough to earn the green light to take the mound for a game.He was working through his pitching progression, making an attempt to come back before things came to a halt following a short bullpen session.
Is there a reason Dodgers won't put Shohei Ohtani on IL?
While only the staff knows for certain, the Dodgers' hesitation to put Ohtani on the injury list could be because of an MLB rule. Ohtani is considered a two-way player, and because of that status, he would be placed on the 15-day injured list instead of the 10-day list.
If he were placed on the IL shortly after missing his third game, the placement can be backdated up to three days, meaning he only has to spend 12 days on the list from the day he is placed. If he is placed Sept. 5, he could return by Sept. 18, but every day the Dodgers delay the decision only pushes back the number of days he can spend on the roster during the regular season before ramping up ahead of the postseason.
The Dodgers will have 20 games left in the regular season, finishing out the schedule with six of the last nine games coming against the San Francisco Giants. A three-game home stand with the San Diego Padres will be sandwiched in between.
Has Shohei Ohtani ever been on the IL before?
Ohtani has only been on the injured list three times during his MLB career. He had a 24-day stint in 2018 while he was with the Los Angeles Angels due to a Grade 2 UCL Sprain in his right elbow.
Ohtani did not pitch the rest of the season but continued as a hitter.
He then started the following season on the 10-day IL to continue to heal from Tommy John surgery.
He also suffered a right oblique strain and a torn UCL that put an end to his final season with the Angels back in September 2023. He was placed on the 10-day injured list after already being shut down as a pitcher and missing 11 consecutive games.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Shohei Ohtani misses third straight game as Dodgers weigh IL decision
