Ohtani to play at less than 100% in playoffs, will need to 'manage' injuries — SkimNews
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- Shohei Ohtani said he is not at 100% health but will be in the Dodgers' NLDS lineup, acknowledging his left knee and right biceps injuries will require ongoing management throughout the postseason
- Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed Ohtani won't pitch this postseason and emphasized that most players competing now are managing some level of injury, calling it part of October baseball
- Ohtani returned from the injured list with five regular-season games remaining, going 5-for-21 with eight strikeouts while showing flashes of strong contact, including a double off a 103 mph fastball
- Dodgers hitting coach Aaron Bates observed Ohtani's recent batting practice sessions as among the best of the year, noting he hit balls off the scoreboard during field workouts
- Ohtani finished the regular season with a .275/.377/.512 line, 30 home runs, 11 stolen bases, and an 8-2 record with a 1.79 ERA in 14 starts before being ruled out of pitching after July 3
- Ohtani stated he used his time on the IL to focus exclusively on hitting, refining his approach and swing mechanics in preparation for a postseason role as a designated hitter
Why it matters: Ohtani remains a central offensive threat despite physical limitations, altering the Dodgers’ playoff strategy around a star who can’t pitch but may still impact games with his bat—making his health management critical to their NL title hopes. The team gains a potent DH presence, but risks further injury if workload isn’t carefully balanced.
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