Shohei Ohtani Strikes Out 4 Times as Dodgers Fall 8-6 to Cardinals in 10 Innings

Shohei Ohtani went 0-for-4 with four consecutive strikeouts during the Dodgers' 8-6 extra-inning loss to the St. Louis Cardinals.

Shohei Ohtani finished 0-for-4 with four strikeouts on Wednesday night as the Los Angeles Dodgers suffered an 8-6 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals in 10 innings. This performance marked the first time this season the four-time MVP struck out in four consecutive plate appearances. Following the defeat, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts described Ohtani as "not close to optimal" and noted that the two-way star appeared physically compromised during his swings. The designated hitter's batting average currently sits at .279.

Roberts plans to meet with Ohtani and the team's training staff on Thursday to evaluate the player's physical condition and determine if a day off is necessary. Despite the visible struggles, the manager stated he does not believe a stint on the injured list is required at this time. The Dodgers manager observed that Ohtani's swing was not what the team is accustomed to seeing, suggesting the player has not looked like himself for the past two weeks. Ohtani has not addressed the media regarding his status in 14 days.

Pitching Status and Injury History

Ohtani has not appeared on the mound since July 3 due to persistent pain in his right biceps and left knee. Before these physical setbacks, he posted an 8-2 record with a 1.79 ERA across 14 starts. The Dodgers remain uncertain if he will pitch again during the current season. While he completed a 20-pitch bullpen session last Friday, he was subsequently scratched from a scheduled start against Detroit two days later. Roberts indicated that a decision on Ohtani's pitching progression depends on the results of his next bullpen session, which has yet to be scheduled.

When asked if Ohtani might be shut down from pitching for the remainder of the year, Roberts acknowledged that it is a valid option. The manager emphasized that there are enough days remaining on the schedule to allow Ohtani to recover and reach a better physical state before the season concludes. The player reportedly feels a responsibility to remain in the lineup as long as he is upright, though Roberts noted that playing while visibly ailing may not be helping the team.

Defensive Options and Roster Rules

Regarding potential defensive changes, Roberts ruled out moving Ohtani to a corner outfield position, stating that such a move is "not on the table right now." Ohtani has not played in the outfield since 2021, a season in which he made seven appearances at the position for the Los Angeles Angels. If Ohtani is unable to start games on the mound, the team is considering using him as a relief pitcher instead.

Specific roster rules would apply if Ohtani returns to two-way duties. If he starts a game as the designated hitter and later moves to the mound, the "Ohtani Rule" allows him to remain in the game, but the Dodgers would lose their DH for the remainder of that contest. Conversely, if he were to move from the pitcher's mound to the outfield, he would be permitted to stay in the batting order. For now, the focus remains on the Thursday evaluation to determine Ohtani's availability for the upcoming series.