Shohei Ohtani Pitching Halted by Bicep and Knee Ailments Amid Offensive Slump

Shohei Ohtani has not pitched since July 3 and was scratched from the Dodgers lineup on Thursday following a four-strikeout performance against Riley O'Brien.

Shohei Ohtani struck out four times during the Los Angeles Dodgers' loss on Wednesday, culminating in a 10th-inning whiff against a Riley O'Brien slider. Following that final at-bat, Ohtani shook his right arm, signaling discomfort that Dodgers manager Dave Roberts described as "the tip of the iceberg." The two-way star was subsequently held out of the lineup on Thursday, marking his first absence since July 30. Ohtani is currently considered day-to-day, though he has not appeared on the mound for the Dodgers since July 3. A scheduled bullpen session last Friday was terminated early due to lingering soreness in his right bicep and left knee.

Injury Impact on Offensive Production

Ohtani’s recent offensive performance includes seven hits and 20 strikeouts over his last 51 at-bats. During Wednesday's game, he experienced soreness extending from the right side of his neck down through his arm. While he slashed .372/.490/.731 on his start days for the Angels in 2023, his 2026 numbers show a drop to .250/.372/.500 on days he pitches. When playing the day after a pitching start, he has recorded a .250/.478/.500 slash line, compared to .288/.383/.542 on all other days. Roberts noted that the Dodgers' offense has struggled recently, ranking 22nd in OPS (.703) and 23rd in runs per game (4.2) since the start of July.

Rotation Depth and Postseason Strategy

The Dodgers rotation remains fortified by Tarik Skubal, a two-time American League Cy Young winner, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Blake Snell has posted a 1.17 ERA across four starts since returning from the injured list, while Tyler Glasnow has also rejoined the active roster. Despite this depth, the team has lost six of its last eight games. Roberts emphasized that Ohtani’s offensive value is "hugely important" and cannot be compromised. The left knee irritation stems from a bipartite patella, a congenital condition for which Ohtani underwent surgery in 2019. He has not addressed the media regarding these setbacks since August 17.

Baserunning and Pitching Timeline

Baserunning aggression has shifted significantly during Ohtani's 2026 campaign. After recording nine steals by the end of April, he attempted zero stolen bases throughout June and July. In 2024, Ohtani was worth 9.8 baserunning runs above average, but that figure has dropped to 3.6 since May 2025. He has made only 14 total steal attempts this year. To remain a pitching option for October, Ohtani must return to a mound before the end of September. He is currently limited to plyometric training balls and has not played catch recently. Roberts indicated that shutting Ohtani down as a pitcher remains an option, though the final decision rests with the player himself.

Roster Dynamics and Slumping Veterans

Several key Dodgers contributors struggled throughout August, including Kyle Tucker, Teoscar Hernandez, and Tommy Edman. Freddie Freeman ended a 47-game home run drought on Wednesday, while Mookie Betts is currently enduring the least productive offensive season of his career. Ohtani’s potential role in the postseason could include serving as an opener for Glasnow or providing relief depth, especially with Edwin Diaz struggling and Roki Sasaki dealing with a blister. Because Ohtani does not occupy an extra pitcher spot on the roster, the team can delay a definitive decision on his two-way status until the postseason begins.