Dodgers Consider Bench for Ohtani Amid Postseason Struggles
The Los Angeles Dodgers find themselves in a challenging position, trailing 0-2 in the NLCS, and now there are whispers of a surprising move. Reports from Ken Rosenthal and Katie Woo suggest that manager Dave Roberts is contemplating benching Shohei Ohtani, who is currently experiencing a significant slump.
“Yeah, I mean, obviously it hasn’t been good,” Roberts shared with The Athletic. “He doesn’t feel great. I think for me, it’s having a conversation with him tomorrow to kind of figure out what’s best for him, and what’s best for us. He certainly has earned that conversation and deserves it.”
Roberts reiterated his intention to discuss the situation with Ohtani soon. It’s hard to believe that just a year ago, Ohtani delivered one of the most remarkable performances in baseball when he struck out 10 batters and hit three home runs in NLCS Game 4 against the Brewers. But given his current postseason performance, a change might be warranted.
In this playoff stretch, Ohtani has managed only 3 hits in 20 at-bats, without an extra-base hit. It’s a stark contrast to his usual prowess.
In Monday’s game, which ended in a 7-4 loss, Ohtani’s batting average dipped to .150 after going hitless in four attempts, striking out twice along the way. His struggles have resulted in a drop to the fifth spot in the batting order, and he even attempted a bunt to start off the sixth inning against Brewers pitcher Jojo Romero.
This season has not been easy for him, as he’s played through injuries, including issues with his bicep and knee that emerged mid-season. His recent slump seems to stem back to the regular season, where he has not hit a home run since August 18. Additionally, between August 19 and September 7, he went without driving in any runs before landing on the injured list.
He made a brief return two weeks later and managed an RBI in his second game back, but he has yet to regain his former self. If the Dodgers decide to bench Ohtani, rookie Josue De Paula is reportedly the frontrunner to step in as designated hitter. The Dodgers have taken notice of De Paula’s impressive plate discipline, which could further bolster their lineup.
