Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani faces a potential end to his role as a starting pitcher for the remainder of the season, as the club evaluates the health of his left knee and right biceps.
Managerial Outlook
Dave Roberts has said the team may decide to shut Ohtani down as a starter, but no firm timeline has been set for that change.
Even though Ohtani has not taken the mound since July 3, his 1.79 ERA and 95 strikeouts over 85 ⅔ innings show that his pitching effectiveness remains high despite the injury.
At the plate, Ohtani has been a cornerstone for the Dodgers, supplying 30 home runs, 80 RBIs and a 148 OPS+ while batting .279 with a .381 on‑base percentage and .525 slugging mark for the season.
His recent form, however, has been troubling; in the last 12 games he has posted a .130 batting average over 57 plate appearances, highlighting a noticeable slump.
The Dodgers sit third in the National League playoff race, half a game behind the Atlanta Braves, and have lost six of their last eight games, a stretch that coincides with the return of injured arms such as Justin Wrobleski, Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell.
Roberts has also ruled out a move to the outfield for Ohtani, emphasizing that the player’s value stays tied to his designated‑hitter role, and the club’s decision on his mound usage could shape its postseason outlook.