Dodgers place Shohei Ohtani on injured list…
For the last week, the Dodgers have tried to keep away from the chance.
But on Wednesday, the group finally reached a tipping level with Shohei Ohtani’s ongoing left knee and proper arm accidents, with supervisor Dave Roberts asserting he’ll go on the injured list after he missed six of the membership’s last seven video games.
The transfer –– which also prompted the Dodgers to call up top prospect Josue De Paula –– comes as the latest troubling signal about the state of Ohtani’s health, which has confronted mounting questions over the last a number of days.
Ohtani initially developed his knee downside in early June, but continued in his full-time two-way function for a number of weeks afterward.
Shohei Ohtani strikes out during the sixth inning of the Dodgers’ win over the Cardinals on Sept. 3, 2026 in Los Angeles. AP Photo/William Liang
Then, during a two-way start on July 3, he was eliminated from the sport early as a hitter because of not only knee pain but also proper biceps discomfort.
Ohtani has not pitched in a recreation since then, enduring repeated setbacks in a throwing development that have dashed his possibilities of returning to the mound this yr.
He had, however, continued to serve as the Dodgers’ on a regular basis designated hitter, initially trying unaffected by his bodily illnesses as he made a push for his fifth profession MVP Award.
Alas, circumstances began to change over the last a number of weeks.
In 12 video games from Aug. 17 to Sept. 2, Ohtani went 6-for-46 with no home runs, 19 strikeouts and a .494 OPS (the worst mark in a steady dozen-game stretch in his MLB profession). Last Wednesday, he went 0-for-4 with 4 punchouts for the first time this season.
More alarming that evening was how, in his remaining at-bat, the 32-year-old was grimacing after each swing and shaking out his proper arm.
That prompted the group to maintain Ohtani out of the lineup for four-straight video games over the remaining of the week, before he returned for an 0-for-3 efficiency with a stroll on Monday.
Shohei Ohtani walks to first base after being hit by a pitch during the second inning of the Dodgers’ win over the Cardinals on Sept. 3, 2026 in Los Angeles. AP Photo/William Liang
Initially, the group had hoped Ohtani might stay a common presence in the lineup transferring ahead –– albeit with more off days blended in down the stretch.
That’s why they didn’t place the slugger on the IL initially, not wanting to lose him for the minimal 15-day spell.
Alas, Ohtani missed Tuesday’s recreation with what Roberts said was “load management,” then was out again Wednesday following another setback bodily.
During Monday evening’s recreation, Ohtani felt renewed discomfort in his proper arm, according to Roberts.
Nevertheless, Roberts said Ohtani had not alerted the group’s training workers until Tuesday, prompting him to sit out Wednesday despite Roberts saying Tuesday evening he anticipated him to play.
The Dodgers will likely be in a position to backdate the IL stint to Tuesday. But, that still means Ohtani received’t be eligible to return until Sept. 23, when there will likely be just 5 video games remaining in the common season.
That might go away the celebrity with little time to rediscover his swing. But proper now, his ailing health is the most urgent issue.
Thus, for his first time with the Dodgers, Ohtani goes on the IL.
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