Shohei Ohtani sat out a third consecutive game Saturday as the Los Angeles Dodgers continued to manage his lingering right biceps discomfort. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts opted not to place Ohtani on the injured list but left open the possibility of the two-way player returning to action depending on how he responded to hitting practice that day.
Roberts said Ohtani would take swings in the batting cage before Saturday’s game against the Washington Nationals, with the team assessing his condition thereafter to determine if he could play Sunday. “He’s gonna hit today in the cage and so I think that once he hits and how he comes out of it will be telling for tomorrow,” Roberts stated prior to the game.
Ohtani did not participate in the Dodgers’ 5-3 victory over Washington on Friday, marking the first time this season he missed back-to-back games. The team has experimented with managing his dual pitching and hitting responsibilities through strategic rest and lineup adjustments, but this extended absence comes amid ongoing caution over his health.
While an MRI scan revealed no structural damage to Ohtani’s biceps or neck, his swings and overall body language earlier in the week indicated discomfort impacting his performance. Roberts described Thursday as a rest day with no baseball activity for Ohtani, followed by incremental efforts to get him moving again. “Let’s stay in communication, and let’s see when the time to give the green light is,” Roberts said Friday.
The Dodgers have labeled Ohtani’s status as day to day. Roberts acknowledged placing him on the injured list remains “unlikely but not impossible,” noting the flexibility to backdate such a move if necessary. He added that Ohtani has been cooperative throughout the rest process and understands the team's approach despite his desire to play.
In the interim, outfielder Alex Call has filled the designated hitter role against left-handed pitchers, with Dalton Rushing providing bench depth. Rushing, still recovering from an elbow issue, has been given more at-bats than initially planned but remains limited in his throwing capacity.
The Dodgers have not ruled out Ohtani’s return to pitching this season, but Roberts said the timeline for resuming mound work has been pushed back as Ohtani has stopped throwing drills recently. Originally progressing toward a mid-August pitching comeback, the current plan prioritizes getting Ohtani fully comfortable offensively before risking a return to pitching.
Roberts emphasized the mental as well as physical toll of Ohtani’s injury, citing the player’s recent offensive slump and the benefit of rest for overall recovery. Over the past month, Ohtani’s OPS has dropped significantly compared to his season-long numbers.
On the mound, Blake Snell delivered six scoreless innings Friday, allowing five hits and two walks while limiting damage. The performance helped the Dodgers hold a lead despite a shaky ninth inning by reliever Seth Halvorsen, who allowed three hits without recording an out. Roberts called the finish “a little hairy,” but the team secured the win and extended its record to 84-57.
As the Dodgers continue their push toward the postseason, balancing Ohtani’s workload while safeguarding his health remains a key challenge for the team.