During the bottom of the 10th inning on Wednesday night, the Los Angeles Dodgers faced a challenging situation following their 8-6 defeat to the St. Louis Cardinals. Shohei Ohtani, who had an 0-for-4 performance including four strikeouts, displayed discomfort in his right arm, which has been affected by a biceps issue throughout the season. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts expressed uncertainty regarding Ohtani's availability for the next game, stating, "I’m going to talk to him tomorrow and really try to figure it out."
Roberts noted that it is "very unlikely" Ohtani would be placed on the injured list, but he acknowledged the need for further evaluation. Ohtani has been managing both a biceps issue and a lingering left knee injury, which has prevented him from pitching, although he has maintained that these injuries have not impacted his batting performance. However, his recent slump, extending to 6-for-46, raised concerns about his effectiveness at the plate.
In the 10th inning, Ohtani's struggles were evident as he shook his arm and grimaced after swings. Roberts remarked, "I saw the shaking of the arm. I saw the wincing. Clearly, the swings aren’t who he is. Obviously there’s some compensation." Ohtani's health has been a focus, particularly after a bullpen session last Sunday where he did not feel fully recovered.
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman indicated that the team still intends to pursue Ohtani’s pitching progression, despite setbacks that have diminished his chances of returning to the mound in time for the playoffs. Roberts commented on Ohtani's recent performance, stating, "If he’s feeling the way that visibly looks, then [it’s] really not helping anyone."
As the playoffs approach, the Dodgers need a fully effective Ohtani, and Roberts acknowledged that Ohtani has appeared increasingly off physically. He stated, "Tonight was kind of the tip of the iceberg," and emphasized the importance of evaluating Ohtani's condition moving forward. Roberts expressed cautious optimism about Ohtani's potential recovery before the playoffs, but the immediate future regarding his availability remains uncertain.