Overview
- Roberts said on Wednesday that shutting Ohtani down as a starting pitcher for the rest of the season is an option but the team has set no firm deadline for a decision.
- Ohtani has not pitched since July 3 while rehabbing left‑knee inflammation and a right biceps issue that interrupted a late‑August bullpen session and prompted the club to pause his throwing program.
- The Dodgers are keeping Ohtani in the lineup as the designated hitter only, Roberts said that playing the outfield is not being considered and an injured‑list stint is unlikely though short rest days are possible.
- Ohtani has been in a recent offensive slump, batting roughly .130 over his last dozen games and recording a four‑strikeout game that prompted Roberts to say he does not look right at the plate.
- Los Angeles has seen rotation pieces return from the injured list, including Tyler Glasnow, Justin Wrobleski and Blake Snell, which lessens immediate reliance on Ohtani on the mound and factors into the club’s risk‑reward decision.