Shohei Ohtani was ready to pinch-hit for Dodgers…
At some level on Sunday night time, Shohei Ohtani strapped on his elbow guard, slipped on his batting gloves and grabbed his bat.
He was going to pinch-hit, according to Dodgers supervisor Dave Roberts.
If either of the first two hitters in the eighth inning had reached base, Ohtani would have changed Alex Call. The recreation was the fourth in a row that Ohtani didn’t start because of issues with his knee, biceps and neck.
Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers will get ready to bat in the dugout during the eighth inning against the Washington Nationals at Dodger Stadium on Sunday, September 6, 2026, in Los Angeles, California. Getty Images
But Alex Freeland popped out, Max Muncy flied out to left area, and Roberts elected to keep right-handed Call in the sport to face Nationals lefty Will Dion with the Dodgers down by a run.
“To be quite honest, versus lefty right there, I just felt Call had a good chance to get on base,” Roberts said. “And nothing against Shohei, but he hadn’t played in four days and lefty’s on the mound, so I figured we’ll just try to keep the line moving and get Tommy (Edman) up there.”
Not making the substitution received the Dodgers the sport.
Call singled.
Edman adopted with a stroll.
And with two batters on, Mookie Betts crushed a down-the-middle fastball over the left-field wall to ship the Dodgers on their approach to a 7-5 victory.
Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers will get ready to bat in the dugout during the eighth inning against the Washington Nationals at Dodger Stadium on Sunday, September 6, 2026, in Los Angeles, California. Getty Images
With Ohtani in a position to put together himself to pinch-hit, Roberts said, “My expectation is he’ll be in the lineup tomorrow.”
Asked if he would think about batting Edman leadoff instead of Ohtani, Roberts said he wouldn’t. The plan, Roberts said, is for Ohtani to continue batting first.
Stay up to date with the latest trending topics! Visit our web site daily for the freshest Sports news and content, fastidiously curated to keep you informed.
