Overview
- Ohtani was scratched from the lineup after a four-strikeout game that Wednesday showed visible arm discomfort, and he has now sat out consecutive games as the Dodgers evaluate him day to day.
- The team says he is dealing with lingering left-knee soreness plus right-biceps pain and neck soreness, but an MRI of the biceps/neck area showed no structural damage.
- His throwing progression stalled after a late-August 20-pitch bullpen session and he has not pitched in a major-league game since July 3, a gap that makes it possible he will not return to the mound this season.
- Manager Dave Roberts and GM Brandon Gomes say they hope to avoid placing him on the 10-day injured list yet describe that move as possible, noting the club prefers not to be without him for a full IL stretch.
- How the Dodgers handle Ohtani over the next several days will shape their late-season roster moves and lineup mix because his bat matters for October even if the club’s deep rotation reduces reliance on him as a starter.