Dodgers pondering key Shohei Ohtani decision

The Los Angeles Dodgers are considering whether Shohei Ohtani needs time on the injured list (IL) after sitting him on Thursday with lingering right biceps and neck discomfort.

Ohtani went 0-for-4 with four strikeouts on Wednesday in an 8-6, 10-inning loss to the St. Louis Cardinals, grimacing and shaking his right arm in his final at-bat. Manager Dave Roberts texted him after the game to say he would not start the series finale. Ohtani answered with a salute emoji.

Ohtani told trainers his right biceps and neck were bothering him. Roberts said that explained the visible discomfort. Those symptoms have not improved in recent weeks and come on top of the left knee issue that has kept Ohtani off the mound since July 3.

A formal IL stint is still being discussed. Roberts called it “unlikely, but not impossible.” He also framed it as a conversation about whether a day or two, or even 10 days, would help Ohtani get closer to full strength.

General manager Brandon Gomes said nothing has indicated an IL move is warranted yet and that the club would prefer not to lose Ohtani for 10 days.

Roberts planned to meet with Ohtani and the training staff Thursday before deciding on Friday’s series opener against Washington. He described Ohtani’s status as day-to-day.

“He wants to be in there, but I’m not going to just put him in there because of the name on the back of his jersey,” Roberts said.

The priority is getting Ohtani healthier for October, even if that means taking the decision out of his hands for now.