Shohei Ohtani out of Dodgers’ starting lineup for 3rd straight game

Field Level Media|published: Sat 5th September, 21:12 2026 Sep 4, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Shohei Ohtani (17) looks on during the eighth inning against the Washington Nationals at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

Shohei Ohtani was out of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ starting lineup for the third consecutive game Saturday as he continues to deal with lingering issues involving his neck, right biceps and left knee.

The superstar two-way player sat out of the Dodgers’ 3-2 win on Thursday against the St. Louis Cardinals and their 5-3 win on Friday over the Washington Nationals.

Ohtani, a four-time MVP, was scheduled to hit in the batting cages Saturday prior to Los Angeles’ home game against the Washington Nationals, manager Dave Roberts said. How Ohtani feels afterward could determine whether the six-time All-Star ends up on the injured list.

“If it doesn’t feel good today,” Roberts said, “then (the IL) certainly should be on the table.”

The 32-year-old Ohtani is batting .279 this season with 30 home runs and 80 RBIs. He is hitting just .137 (7 for 51) with one home run over his past 13 games amid the physical issues.

Ohtani is 8-2 with a 1.79 ERA and 95 strikeouts in 85 2/3 innings across 14 starts this season. He has not pitched since July 3, and he has declined to speak to the media since Aug. 17.

The minimum stint on the injured list for a two-way player is 15 days, the same as it is for pitchers.

–Field Level Media

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