While he hasn’t been put on the injured list yet, Shohei Ohtani remained out of the Dodgers’ lineup on Saturday against the Nationals. He’s now missed three straight games. Manager Dave Roberts told reporters, including Katie Woo of The Athletic, that the team will evaluate Ohtani on Sunday.
“My expectation is he’s going to hit today in the cage,” Roberts said. “I think that once he hits, how he comes out of it will be telling for tomorrow.”
IL stints can be backdated up to three days, so it makes sense that a final decision would come tomorrow. Ohtani’s status as a two-way player complicates matters. He’ll be required to go on the 15-day IL, not the 10-day IL. The Dodgers will be without his bat for an extended stretch if he heads to the injured list.
Ohtani struck out four times in his most recent appearance on Wednesday against the Cardinals. Roberts told reporters after that game that the slugger didn’t look like himself, and the team would consider giving him a day off. What started as a rest day has now extended into Ohtani’s longest absence from the lineup in his Dodgers tenure.
It was less than a week ago that Ohtani was trending toward a return to the mound as part of a tandem approach with Tyler Glasnow. That appearance never came to fruition. Each passing day of nagging injuries makes it less likely that Ohtani will contribute as a pitcher down the stretch.
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Ohtani wasn’t the only one out of the lineup on Saturday. Max Muncy and Dalton Rushing were both scratched. Muncy is dealing with an illness. Rushing was removed from the starting nine with right elbow soreness. It’s a worrisome development for Rushing, who is playing through a UCL tear. He hasn’t been cleared to play the field, but he’s pinch-hit in every game since coming off the IL. Tonight would’ve been his first start since being activated.
Teoscar Hernandez has recently gone back to a batting stance that includes a toe tap, notes Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register. It’s helped the outfielder get back on track at the plate. “Everything is clicking,” Hernandez said. “The timing is good. The swing is good. I’m seeing the ball better so better decisions, better contact, better at-bats. Everything is the way it should be.” Hernandez was 13-for-34 with four extra-base hits over his last 10 games heading into Saturday.
Roberts tabbed Justin Wrobleski to handle the bulk of the innings in Sunday’s series finale against the Nationals, relays Plunkett. The lefty allowed three runs (two earned) over two innings in his first appearance off the injured list on Tuesday. Wrobleski had a minimum stint on the IL with forearm inflammation. Bobby Miller was also activated off the 60-day IL today and could factor into Sunday’s plans.
Emmet Sheehan is an option to start Monday’s game against the Reds, per Plunkett. Sheehan spent most of August in the minors. He’s pitched well at Triple-A, allowing three earned runs over four outings. Sheehan has 24 strikeouts in 18 innings with Oklahoma City. He has a 5.29 ERA in the majors this year, but the solid stretch in the minors may afford him another opportunity with the big-league club.
Photo courtesy of Kiyoshi Mio, Imagn Images