Shohei Ohtani was not in the Los Angeles Dodgers lineup Thursday night because of soreness in his left knee that he and the team had previously indicated was only an issue when pitching.
Manager Dave Roberts said Ohtani reported the soreness Wednesday and received treatment. The training staff suggested a night off would prove beneficial for the 32-year-old. While Ohtani is expected to resume his duties as the Dodgers’ designated hitter on Friday, there remains the question as to whether he should be put on the 10-day injured list.
Why isn’t Shohei Ohtani on the injured list?
Whether a sore left knee or a right bicep issue, the Dodgers have largely deferred to Ohtani in terms of injury management. Much like when he completed a de facto rehab assignment as a pitcher at the Major League level last year, the Dodgers have kept Ohtani in the lineup this season despite the ailments persisting.
“I’m trying to restrain or forecast what’s going to happen, as opposed to just reading and reacting,” Roberts explained. “Yeah, three days ago we had an off day and to say there’s some soreness, certainly is different than what we’ve done. So is it a trend? I hope not.
“But if it is, we’ve just got to manage it.”
Whether the Dodgers further managing Ohtani’s knee trouble would entail going on the injured list was not something Roberts would commit to.
“You know, that’s a hard question,” Roberts answered when asked if the Dodgers should consider providing their superstar with a break. “I understand the thought behind it, but it’s gotten better over the last few weeks. Markedly. He’s been a very productive player.
“To kind of take it out of his hands, shut him down, you trust the player, feels like he can go, he’s not 100%, very few players are 100%. Then what is it? Is it 70%? Is it 80%? Is it 90%? So for me, there’s still that conversation of he understands the most important part of the season is to come and he understands his value with our team.
“A player that’s been around as long as he has, that knows his body, it’s hard to take it out of his hands and essentially bench him.”
Roberts also cited how the Dodgers collaborated with Freddie Freeman multiple years ago in managing some of his playing time amid injury.
“Teams do that with players. They’re all treated fairly, but differently That’s a part of it,” Roberts said.
And as for the notion, or perception, that Ohtani is solely dictating terms regarding his health, Roberts pointed out that the Dodgers overruled him on Thursday.
“He wanted to play tonight. So that point, he’s not playing tonight,” Roberts said.
Ultimately, what the Dodgers are going to rely on is transparent communication from Ohtani.
“I can’t read minds, the training staff can’t read minds. So just for him to communicate that, then allows for us to make a decision. After tonight’s day off he can come back and feel refreshed, and play in the next four or five before the off day,” Roberts said.
“Or if we feel after three games that it’s a little sore again, and need a blow. For me, all I ask is for honest communication. That’s what he did, and that’s helpful.”
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