Will Shohei Ohtani pitch in October? 5 questions for Los Angeles Dodgers
ESPN • • sports
Key Points:
- Shohei Ohtani was visibly uncomfortable during his last at-bat on Wednesday, leading to his first absence from the Dodgers' lineup since July 30; he is currently day-to-day with no immediate plans for an injured list stint.
- Ohtani has not pitched since July 3 due to soreness in his left knee and right bicep, raising concerns about how his pitching struggles may be affecting his offensive performance.
- Dodgers manager Dave Roberts emphasized the importance of preserving Ohtani's offensive value over his pitching, given the team's strong pitching rotation but struggling offense since July.
- Ohtani's baserunning has notably declined since he resumed pitching duties, with fewer stolen base attempts and less aggression on the bases compared to previous seasons.
- The Dodgers face a complex decision on whether to continue pursuing Ohtani's two-way role for the postseason, balancing his potential pitching contributions against the risk of compromising his hitting and overall health.
