Shohei Ohtani Out for 3rd Straight Game as Dodgers Face Washington

Shohei Ohtani remains out of the Los Angeles Dodgers lineup for a third consecutive day following an 8-6 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals.

Shohei Ohtani was absent from the Los Angeles Dodgers' starting lineup for Saturday’s game against Washington, marking the first time the two-way star has missed three consecutive starts since signing his 10-year, $700 million contract in 2024. The designated hitter previously reported soreness in his neck and right arm during Wednesday's 8-6 defeat against the St. Louis Cardinals, a contest in which he struck out a season-high four times. The 30-year-old is currently managing discomfort in both his left knee and right biceps, though the club has not yet placed him on the injured list.

Manager Dave Roberts noted that Ohtani would attempt pregame hitting in the indoor batting cages on Saturday afternoon. This follows two days of inactivity where the slugger did not take any swings on Thursday or Friday. Despite his absence from the starting card, the Dodgers have not ruled out using him as a pinch-hitter. If the organization decides to move him to the IL by Sunday, the transaction can be backdated a maximum of three days to Thursday, when he first sat out against the Cardinals.

Roster Adjustments and Lineup Shifts

With the leadoff spot vacant, Tommy Edman started at the top of the order for the third game in a row. The designated hitter role saw further changes after Dalton Rushing was scratched from the lineup due to elbow discomfort. Teoscar Hernandez took over DH duties for the Saturday matchup against the Nationals. This follows two games where right-handed hitter Alex Call served as the designated hitter in Ohtani's stead.

Because Ohtani is officially designated as a two-way player, any stint on the injured list would require a minimum 15-day stay. Roberts characterized this mandatory duration as a "deterrent" regarding a potential roster move. The manager observed that Ohtani’s demeanor has improved over the last 48 hours, noting the player has become more "loose and easy-going" compared to the physical tension he displayed earlier in the week.

Statistical Performance and Pitching Totals

Before this three-game absence, Ohtani struggled at the plate, going 7-for-51 (.137) with just one home run over his last 13 appearances. Despite the recent slump, his season totals remain significant through 129 games, featuring a .279 batting average, 30 home runs, and 80 RBIs. These offensive figures follow his back-to-back National League MVP campaigns.

On the mound, Ohtani has not pitched since July 2, yet he maintains elite season-long pitching statistics. He currently holds an 8-2 record with a 1.79 ERA across 14 starts. His workload as a pitcher totals 85⅔ innings for the 2024 season. The Dodgers continue to monitor his physical status daily to determine if he can avoid the 15-day IL period while the team navigates the remainder of the series against Washington.