MILWAUKEE –– Dodgers Reassess Shohei Ohtani’s Status

Heading into Monday night, the Dodgers were not seriously thinking about taking Shohei Ohtani out of their lineup.

But after one painful loss and four disappointing at-bats, that firm stance started to waver.

After a 7-4 defeat against the Milwaukee Brewers, which put the Dodgers behind two games in the National League Championship Series, discussions about Ohtani’s participation in Game 3 on Wednesday were set to take place.

Manager Dave Roberts mentioned he would have “a conversation” with Ohtani regarding his readiness for the next game. According to a source familiar with the situation, the decision would hinge on whether Ohtani felt fit enough to continue as the starting designated hitter, a sentiment echoed by ESPN.

This development followed Ohtani’s most challenging game of the postseason, where he went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts.

Throughout these playoffs, Ohtani, a four-time MVP, has struggled, posting just 3-for-20 with three singles, two walks, and seven strikeouts while dealing with persistent right arm and left knee issues. The team has consistently acknowledged that he’s not at full strength.

Regardless, the Dodgers were still hoping for a turnaround from their star player. Roberts expressed confidence that Ohtani would eventually “come to life,” and President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman suggested it would eventually “click for him.”

However, the Dodgers find themselves in a position where they cannot afford to wait for a spark from Ohtani.

After losing two games in a row to start the NLCS, they head back to Los Angeles facing the prospect of elimination—just two losses away, and only one game from a 3-0 deficit, a situation only overcome once in MLB history.

“Can we [come back in this series]? Absolutely,” said Roberts. “But it’s just, you want to get that first [win].”

Before Monday’s game, Ohtani had at least managed to reach base in every one of his first five playoff games. Yet, instead of improving, his performance in Game 2 marked a significant regression.

Interestingly, before the game, the injury-bothered veteran had taken batting practice in the field for the third consecutive day—a significant shift from his usual routine of hitting indoors. Coaches during these sessions had noted positive signs, observing that he was making solid contact.

“I feel good [with] where he’s at,” Roberts stated on Sunday. “[He is] certainly not 100 percent, but it’s good enough.”

That, however, seemed to change drastically in Tuesday’s disappointing loss, where the entire Dodgers lineup managed just three hits and failed to capitalize on any of their 15 outs against Brewers relievers, looking desperately in need of a boost.

Unfortunately, Ohtani did not provide that needed jolt. Instead, his struggles seemed to intensify.

He ended the first inning with a three-pitch strikeout, flailing at a high fastball. He stranded a runner at second in the second inning and floundered at a slider in the sixth, letting his bat slip from his hands in a failed swing attempt.

He made one more out in the ninth, with a weak fly ball to left field.

He did address reporters after the game but hasn’t spoken publicly since before the NLDS.

If the Dodgers decide to sit Ohtani for Game 3 against lefty Robert Gasser, they have several options for filling the designated hitter position.

The most apparent choice could be rookie standout Josue De Paula. The 21-year-old has only 45 big-league plate appearances since his call-up in September, but he has managed to get on base in over half of them.

While replacing even a struggling Ohtani with someone so inexperienced might seem surprising, the Dodgers’ dire situation could prompt such a move. After all, De Paula might be just as effective on the bases, if not more so given he’s fully healthy.

Alternatively, the Dodgers could bring back October hero Kiké Hernández to the lineup, following his recent benching in favor of Tommy Edman. They might also consider fitting Miguel Rojas into the lineup as another right-handed option, despite his ongoing back issue.

These scenarios were likely not what the Dodgers envisioned this early in their pursuit of a World Series title.

Yet, with high stakes looming and Ohtani’s performance on the decline, all options may need to be explored. The best player in baseball, in his current state, might indeed need to sit out.