Shohei Ohtani was left out of the Dodgers’ starting lineup against the Cardinals on Thursday following an 0-4 outing in L.A.’s 8-6 loss to St. Louis on Wednesday at Dodger Stadium.<\/p>\n
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said on Wednesday that he had plans to have a conversation with the training staff and Ohtani on Thursday to “really try to figure out where he\u2019s at physically” and weigh giving him a day off, although Roberts said he doesn\u2019t think a stint on the injured list is necessary.<\/p>\n
“I saw the same thing that everyone saw,” Roberts said after 10 innings against the Cardinals. “You could see the swing wasn\u2019t the swing that we\u2019re used to seeing. He\u2019s not close to optimal.”<\/p>\n
The two-way superstar hasn\u2019t pitched in a game since July 3 because of lingering pain in his left knee and right biceps, which may be affecting his offense. He is hitting .279 after striking out four consecutive times for the first time this season.<\/p>\n
“I know he feels that he needs to post and be in the lineup and if he\u2019s upright he should play,” Roberts said. “I respect that, but if he\u2019s feeling the way that he visibly looks, then it\u2019s really not helping anyone.”<\/p>\n
Earlier Wednesday, Roberts had said he had no indication that Ohtani was physically ailing.<\/p>\n
After the game, the manager said, “I\u2019ve seen it over the last couple weeks where he hasn\u2019t been who he is.”<\/p>\n
Ohtani hasn\u2019t spoken to the media in two weeks.<\/p>\n
“I still feel there\u2019s enough days on the calendar of the season that we have plenty of time to make whatever decision we make and to have him come out of it in a better spot,” Roberts said.<\/p>\n
The Dodgers remain uncertain whether Ohtani will pitch again this season.<\/p>\n