MLB: Shohei Ohtani benched after unwanted Dodgers record as manager reveals new injury concerns

Shohei Ohtani’s slump has now brought an unwanted first since he joined the Los Angeles Dodgers. After striking out four times in one game and extending his home-run drought to 12 games, the Japanese two-way star will begin the Dodgers’ game against the St. Louis Cardinals on the bench.

Ohtani reached base twice through walks or hit-by-pitches in his previous appearance, but finished 0-for-4 with four strikeouts. He has now gone 60 at-bats without a home run, the longest drought of his Dodgers career. Since hitting a homer against the Colorado Rockies on August 18, he has six hits in 46 at-bats, with a .130 batting average, no home runs and no RBIs across his last 12 games.

The decision also ends a run of 31 consecutive games in which Ohtani had been included in the starting lineup. Dave Roberts said the player is dealing with discomfort that extends from his right upper arm into his neck, along with discomfort in his left knee. The neck issue had not previously been publicly disclosed.

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Ideally, I want him to get a day to rest, physically and mentally.

Tommy Edman will lead off and Alex Call will serve as designated hitter. Roberts said Ohtani would rest initially, with the team checking later in the game whether he was fit to play. “Ideally, I want him to get a day to rest, physically and mentally,” Roberts said. He added that he would speak with Ohtani again to assess how he felt after resting.

Roberts said the Dodgers should know by the following day whether Ohtani can play. He did not commit to placing him on the injured list, saying the team would continue evaluating him one day at a time. “Anyone who saw him last night should feel that he really needed a day off,” Roberts said.

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Anyone who saw him last night should feel that he really needed a day off.