The Los Angeles Dodgers are placing two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani on the injured list, manager Dave Roberts said on Wednesday.
“It’s the right thing to do,” Roberts said following the Dodgers’ 14-1 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday, which Ohtani was sidelined for. “We tried to kick the bucket as much as we could.”
Ohtani has missed six of the last seven games due to lingering soreness in his right biceps and left knee. Roberts said Ohtani would be in the lineup on Thursday “if it were a postseason game.”
Ohtani, a four-time MVP, is a key component of the Dodgers’ bid for a third consecutive World Series championship, even though he won’t be pitching the rest of the season because of his injuries.
“Most likely, no,” Ohtani said through interpreter Will Ireton when asked about pitching again this season following the team’s Monday night win at home over the Cincinnati Reds, per MLB.com. “I’m going to be focusing on hitting moving forward.”
The Dodgers are off Thursday and open a seven-game trip in Miami on Friday. Top prospect Josue De Paula is expected to join the team in Miami.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
