Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed that designated hitter Shohei Ohtani will remain in the starting lineup for Game 3 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers, despite an ongoing postseason offensive slump and lingering physical concerns. The Dodgers trail two games to none in the best-of-seven series.
Ohtani has struggled to find his rhythm at the plate since the calendar turned to October, collecting just three singles and drawing three walks across 24 postseason plate appearances. Speculation arose that the team might bench the two-way star to help him reset, mirroring a strategy the Dodgers used with first baseman Freddie Freeman during their 2024 championship run when Freeman played through injury before eventually winning World Series MVP honors.
Speaking to reporters during pregame workouts, Roberts clarified that any potential absence would serve as a recovery day rather than a benching for performance reasons. However, Roberts emphasized that Ohtani forcefully rejected the idea of sitting out, insisting his body is ready for game action.
“He very much believes he has made a breakthrough in his swing mechanics, and he insists he can help this club,” Roberts said. “His condition is good enough to help us win a ballgame, and that’s what I needed to hear. In a moment this important, we listen to Shohei, we support him completely, and we believe in him.”
Ohtani Acknowledges Improved Physical State and Takes Full Responsibility
Through an interpreter, Ohtani addressed reporters to report that his physical symptoms have eased considerably compared to earlier in the month. He described his daily approach to batting mechanics as an ongoing adjustment process, noting that he continues to test different methods and feels out various adjustments during practice.
Dave Roberts says he noticed Shohei Ohtani shaking his wrist in today’s game and will check in to see if anything is of concern.
Rather than pointing to his recent physical discomfort as an excuse for his lack of production, Ohtani shouldered the blame for his postseason struggles. “I shouldn’t let these symptoms prevent me from getting hits,” Ohtani said. “Even if the injury happened by accident, I take full responsibility for it.”
The Dodgers enter Game 3 facing immediate pressure at home after dropping the first two games of the series to the Brewers. Roberts noted that the club will rely heavily on Ohtani’s self-assessment as they look to turn the momentum of the series around.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Dodgers’ NLCS Lineup Decisions
Will Shohei Ohtani pitch in the National League Championship Series?
Roberts has not indicated that Ohtani will pitch in this series, focusing instead on his role as the team’s designated hitter while he works through his offensive adjustments.
What were Freddie Freeman’s numbers when the Dodgers rested him in 2024?
In 2024, the Dodgers managed Freeman’s physical ailments by giving him strategic days off to recover, a playbook Roberts referenced as precedent before Freeman returned to capture World Series MVP honors.
How many hits has Ohtani recorded in October?
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