Shohei Ohtani to Manage Knee and Biceps Ailments Throughout Postseason

Shohei Ohtani confirmed he is not 100% healthy due to lingering knee and biceps issues heading into the NLDS against the Atlanta Braves.

Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani and manager Dave Roberts confirmed Friday that the two-way player will manage left knee and right biceps injuries throughout the postseason. The ailments, which compromised Ohtani during the summer, led to an injured list stint in early September following a 14-game stretch where he recorded seven hits and 22 strikeouts. Ohtani is scheduled to be in the lineup for Game 1 of the National League Division Series against the Atlanta Braves on Saturday.

Ohtani finished the regular season with a .275/.377/.512 slash line, 30 home runs, and 11 stolen bases. On the mound, he posted an 8-2 record with a 1.79 ERA across 14 starts, though he did not pitch after July 3. During a simulated game on Wednesday, Ohtani saw three plate appearances against Yoshinobu Yamamoto. In a Friday workout, he struck out and hit a line drive to right field in two at-bats against right-hander Emmet Sheehan.

In his final five regular-season games after returning from the injured list, Ohtani went 5-for-21 with eight strikeouts. This stretch included an opposite-field double against a 103 mph fastball from Mason Miller. Hitting coach Aaron Bates noted that during recent field batting practice, Ohtani hit multiple balls off the scoreboard. Roberts indicated that other players, including veteran first baseman Freddie Freeman, are also playing through health issues as the playoffs begin.