Dodgers Risk Making Shohei Ohtani Problem Worse by Avoiding IL

· Yahoo Sports

The Los Angeles Dodgers and Shohei Ohtani are at an inflection point at this point in the season, and it may be time for him to enter the injured list.

Visit turconews.click for more information.

At this point, most Dodgers fans are calling for it, even those who support Ohtani through it all, given that his swing looks out of sorts.

What is wrong with Shohei Ohtani?

Ohtani can’t load much from his lower half, which is compromising his swing through the rest of the mechanics.

There is a perfectly reasonable explanation for his lower-half injury — Ohtani has been battling left knee soreness since the summer as a result of landing on his left leg during his pitching delivery.

Aug 21, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) looks on in the dugout during the fifth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Ohtani pitched and hit through the first half of the season, taking on a two-way role that has seemingly taken its toll and left the Japanese star compromised.

Manager Dave Roberts acknowledged as much in a moment of honesty about where Ohtani is after a night against the St. Louis Cardinals, when Ohtani went 0-for-4 with four strikeouts.

“I’m going to talk to him tomorrow and really try to figure out where he’s at physically, because, yeah, I saw the shaking of the arm, I saw the wincing, and clearly the swings aren’t who he is,” Roberts said to the media, including Dodgers Nation.

“Obviously there’s some compensation.”

Why the Dodgers need to put Ohtani on the IL

Of course, now the question about what the Dodgers do next comes up. There are really only two paths: giving their best player some rest and hoping it helps him resync his body, or a full-on two-week IL stint.

Roberts remains headstrong that it won’t result in an IL placement, but the team has to consider it if it is the best possible thing to get him near 100%.

“Just speaking honestly, I don’t think it’s an IL. But like I said, it’s still a possibility and just having that conversation and figuring out what’s best for him,” Roberts said.

“And I do think that right now, we’re in September, but I still feel that there are enough days on the calendar of the season that we have plenty of time to make whatever decision we make and to come out of it and have him come out of it in a better spot.”

Sep 1, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Shohei Ohtani (17) scores a run during the seventh inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

While some describe Ohtani’s willingness to play every day as “selfishness,” it is really a mark of a true warrior who wants to play as much as possible and help his team win.

If he is asked whether he wants to play or sit, he will always choose to play no matter what, and the Dodgers will always play him because even a compromised Ohtani is better than 90% of MLB players.

However, given how pitching progress has been stop-and-start, while he has still played every day, it is hard to argue against the notion that some rest will not do the Japanese star any good.

He can get his swing in order and really feel better for the stretch run of the season, all while possibly even unlocking the ability to actually pitch.

A decision is coming about whether they want Ohtani to hit only or also pitch, given how much his knee has lingered as an issue, but if he can’t hit at full strength, the choice may be moot.

Watching his swing and his battle is inspiring, but the Dodgers may need to finally step in and do what they tend to do for other players—save them from themselves.

Read full story at source