Shohei Ohtani absent from Dodgers lineup for second consecutive game due to health issues

Shohei Ohtani was absent from the Dodgers' batting order for the second consecutive game on Friday, continuing to manage knee and biceps injuries. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts and general manager Brandon Gomes stated on Thursday that a stint on the injured list for Ohtani was unlikely, although it remains unclear if that assessment has changed. Ohtani has struggled with these injuries throughout the season and has not pitched since early July. His health status has gained attention following a slump where he recorded only six hits in 46 at-bats, including a four-strikeout game on Wednesday where he appeared to be in pain while batting. The concern regarding Ohtani's physical condition varies among team members. Roberts noted that Ohtani has not performed at his usual level recently, suggesting that some rest might be beneficial. Conversely, Gomes minimized the impact of Ohtani's injuries on his performance, indicating that the decision to rest him on Thursday was due to the discomfort observed during Wednesday's game, while expressing hope that Ohtani could return to pitching this season. This marks the first time this season that Ohtani has missed back-to-back games.