Shohei Ohtani out of the Dodgers lineup, available

Shohei Ohtani was out of the lineup again Tuesday, as the Dodgers ease him back into common play after 4 days off to handle lingering proper biceps and left knee accidents.

“Came out of [Monday] well, but talking to the training staff, it’s more of the thought of, ‘Let’s build him up slowly,’ ” supervisor Dave Roberts said.

Roberts said Ohtani can be available to pinch-hit “in a big spot” Tuesday against the Reds, and he anticipated Ohtani can be back in the lineup for the collection finale Wednesday and, after the group’s off day Thursday, again Friday in Miami.

“I’ve been training a little bit more, doing just supplementary things to be able to make sure that I’m in a good place,” Ohtani said after returning to the lineup Monday. “I hope to continue to do that to make sure that I’m up to shape.”

After going 0 for 3 Monday, Ohtani acknowledged that he didn’t really feel 100% bodily and probably wouldn’t for the relaxation of the 12 months, despite all but ruling out pitching for the relaxation of the season.

“As long as I’m playing in games, it’s not exactly the best way to recover and heal,” Ohtani said. “Of course the best mode of recovery is to completely not play. But right now I just want to make sure that I’m playing, playing well and just focusing on the now.”

With Ohtani out, first baseman Freddie Freeman moved to the designated hitter spot Tuesday, primarily giving him a half-day off. And middle fielder Tommy Edman hit leadoff.

Roberts said that he may see a couple more “proactive” days off for Ohtani down the stretch.

“It’s about, ‘What can we do to get him to be optimum, as we get into the postseason?’” Roberts said. “So I think that a day here or there is not the worst thing to make sure that his body overall feels as close to 100% as possible.”

This 12 months was Ohtani’s first juggling full two-way duties from the start of the season since becoming a member of the Dodgers. The group, in dialog with Ohtani, failed to handle his workload and aches and pains in a manner that can be sustainable for more of the 12 months.

The group tried to lean on Ohtani’s experience, noting how unprecedented his profession has been. But Ohtani hadn’t made 20-plus pitching begins in a season since 2023, when he was 28 years outdated. On Monday, Ohtani referred to this season as a “learning experience” to carry into next 12 months. It might be for the Dodgers as effectively.

“For me, it’s just really trying to be mindful of the long season,” Roberts said. “You don’t know until you know, and it’s important to learn from experiences. And I think it’s good for all of us to kind of appreciate that he’s not supernatural, as much as we think he might be at times.”