LOS ANGELES — Shohei Ohtani’s return to the Los Angeles Dodgers lineup is taking a cautious turn, with the superstar held out of Tuesday’s starting lineup just one day after returning from a four-game absence.
The decision came as the Dodgers continued to manage lingering discomfort involving Ohtani’s left knee and right biceps, with manager Dave Roberts emphasizing that the team wants to gradually rebuild the two-way star’s workload rather than rush him back.
Ohtani was available to pinch-hit against the Cincinnati Reds and was expected to return to the starting lineup for Wednesday’s series finale.
The Dodgers’ approach follows Ohtani’s return Monday, when he served as the designated hitter in Los Angeles’ 6-3 victory over Cincinnati. He went 0-for-3 with a walk and two strikeouts, while Teoscar Hernández powered the Dodgers with a three-run homer and Emmet Sheehan struck out 10 over 5⅔ innings.
But the bigger development surrounding Ohtani is happening away from the batter’s box.
Ohtani likely done pitching for 2026
Ohtani said after Monday’s game that he most likely will not pitch again this season, shifting his attention toward hitting for the remainder of the Dodgers’ campaign.
He has not pitched since July 3 and has dealt with recurring knee problems, along with right biceps and neck discomfort. Roberts has also indicated that the Dodgers have effectively put Ohtani’s throwing program on hold while the team prioritizes his hitting, running and overall health.
That represents a significant change from the Dodgers’ original plan for Ohtani, who entered 2026 attempting to handle a full season as both a starting pitcher and elite hitter.
Before his pitching activity was halted, Ohtani had gone 8-2 with a 1.79 ERA and 95 strikeouts in 14 starts, giving Los Angeles another formidable weapon on the mound.
His bat has also hit a rough patch
Ohtani’s health concerns have arrived at the same time as an unusual offensive slump.
Before Tuesday’s game, he was just 2-for-26 (.077) over his previous seven games, with no extra-base hits or RBIs. His season numbers nevertheless remained impressive: a .277 batting average, .380 on-base percentage, .522 slugging percentage, 30 home runs and 80 RBIs through Monday.
The Dodgers are therefore taking a long-term approach.
Rather than immediately putting Ohtani back into an everyday workload, Roberts said the priority is getting him as close to full health as possible as Los Angeles prepares for the postseason. The Los Angeles Times reported that Roberts expected Ohtani to return Wednesday and potentially play again Friday after Thursday’s team off day.
The Dodgers still have bigger October plans
Los Angeles entered Tuesday at 87-57, riding a five-game winning streak after Monday’s victory over Cincinnati.
That makes Ohtani’s health particularly important.
With the regular season approaching its final stretch, the Dodgers appear more interested in having a healthy Ohtani available for October than pushing him into a premature return to pitching.
For now, the equation is simple: Ohtani is still one of baseball’s biggest offensive threats, but the Dodgers are putting his pitching comeback on the back burner.
And with the postseason approaching, the question is no longer simply when Ohtani will pitch again.
It is whether the Dodgers can keep their biggest star healthy long enough to make another championship run.
What changed
- Monday: Ohtani returned as designated hitter after missing four games.
- Tuesday: He was held out of the starting lineup again but remained available for a key pinch-hit situation.
- Wednesday: Roberts expected Ohtani back in the lineup as the Dodgers face Cincinnati in the series finale.
- Pitching: Ohtani said he most likely will not pitch again during the 2026 season.
Leave a Reply