LA Dodgers news
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The gist
Shohei Ohtani missed a fourth straight game Sunday, then was scratched again Tuesday against the Reds.
With October near, the Dodgers are managing Ohtani's knee and biceps soreness over wins.
Background
Ohtani has been dealing with left knee and right biceps soreness that predates the All-Star break, and he struck out four times Wednesday against St. Louis before sitting out. Manager Dave Roberts said the team's tentative plan was to have Ohtani back in the lineup Monday against Cincinnati, and he did return as leadoff hitter before being scratched again Tuesday. The Dodgers entered Tuesday 86-57 with a 10-game NL West lead, so the club is prioritizing star workloads with the postseason in view.
How it unfolded
- Sep 5, 2026Max Muncy (illness) and Dalton Rushing (right elbow discomfort) are scratched about two hours before first pitch; Rushing goes on the injured list retroactive to Saturday.
- Sep 6, 2026Ohtani is out of the starting lineup for a fourth consecutive game; Roberts says the plan is for him to return Monday.
- Sep 7, 2026Ohtani returns to the lineup as the Dodgers' leadoff hitter against the Reds, a 6-3 Los Angeles win.
- Sep 8, 2026Ohtani is scratched from the starting lineup against Cincinnati; Freddie Freeman moves to designated hitter and Max Muncy takes over at first base.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- Manager Dave Roberts said Ohtani came out of his work feeling well and, if nothing changes, he expected him in the lineup the next day.
- Caution
- Columnist Bill Plaschke wrote that Ohtani should not pitch again this season.
- Analysts
- Coverage framed the repeated scratches as a concerning development while noting the Dodgers are protecting stars with October approaching.
Still unverified
Reports of a potential Dodgers team sale persist despite president Stan Kasten's statement that the team is not being sold; the exact severity of Ohtani's knee and biceps issues and whether he will pitch again this season remain unclear.