Shohei Ohtani has already shown what he can endure in terms of pain.
He proved that during the regular season.
Now, as the Dodgers prepare to kick off their National League Division Series against either the Braves or Phillies this Saturday, it’s not about heroics for Ohtani.
It’s really about him being straightforward.
If he’s still as physically limited as he seemed in his last at-bats of the regular season, he needs to communicate that with the team.
It’s essential for him to speak up so the Dodgers can strategize on how to help him navigate the upcoming rounds of postseason play, particularly as they chase their third straight World Series title.
He needs to inform them if his right arm or left knee becomes an issue again, especially if it prevents him from having four or five solid at-bats in a game.
This transparency is crucial for manager Dave Roberts to consider when creating the Dodgers’ lineup.
“I think the communication has been good and I’m confident that he’ll share anything if he feels differently,” general manager Brandon Gomes mentioned.
However, Ohtani has a tendency to hold back on that front. The current situation stems from his reluctance to report how he truly feels, with the president of baseball operations, Andrew Friedman, noting that he “doesn’t always communicate his physical state well.”
This doesn’t excuse how the Dodgers managed his situation earlier in the season. The front office mistakenly took his word that his drop in performance wasn’t due to health concerns, overlooking clear indicators that both his right arm and left knee were causing him more distress than he admitted.
Ohtani eventually found himself on the 15-day injured list because the Dodgers failed to safeguard him.
He came back just in time for the final five games of the regular season. During two games against the Padres, he showed some signs of life, displaying better plate discipline and even sending a couple of hits to the warning track.
But then, well, things took a turn.
At Oracle Park during the season finale against the Giants, Ohtani struggled significantly, going 2-for-12 with five strikeouts over three games.
Roberts pointed to impatience as the culprit, but it’s possible he was just being hopeful. A more concerning thought was whether Ohtani wasn’t sharing that he might still be dealing with physical issues.
One sign that raised eyebrows: he didn’t take his usual practice swings while on deck in San Francisco.
Despite what unfolded in San Francisco, Gomes remained optimistic, stating that the four-time MVP was “feeling great physically.”
He expected Ohtani to use the time before the NLDS to refine his swing.
“This is the moment for everyone to step up,” Gomes asserted. “The guys are prepared, and he is too.”
Roberts, though, was somewhat more reserved in his assessment.
“I have confidence that we’ll see a much improved version of Shohei from the last two months,” Roberts said, referring to Ohtani’s .232 batting average with six home runs and 14 RBIs over the last two months of the regular season.
“While that might not be much considering his injury, I believe he’s healthier than he’s been for quite a while.”
Right now, the Dodgers really have no choice but to trust Ohtani.
The mere intimidation he brings to opponents makes him a preferred designated hitter over rookie Josue De Paula, who has only had 31 career at-bats.
Yet, what happens if Ohtani goes through a stretch where he can’t seem to get a hit and injuries are to blame?
Ohtani needs to keep the team informed.
The Dodgers have been supportive partners, giving him the chance to contend for multiple championships, and they backed his goal of being a two-way talent until he was physically unable to pitch.
If Ohtani claims to be healthy, they will most likely wait for him to find his hitting groove again. But if he’s truly unable to perform and doesn’t come clean about it, the team might find themselves waiting too long, which could lead to an early exit from the postseason.
