The Los Angeles Dodgers entered September expecting Shohei Ohtani to be a major part of their push toward another World Series. Instead, his health has suddenly become one of the biggest storylines surrounding the team.
As of September 8, Ohtani has missed three straight games while dealing with multiple physical issues, and the possibility of an injured-list stint is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.
Ohtani’s health is becoming a serious concern
Ohtani has been dealing with left knee soreness and a right biceps issue, and the Dodgers have already decided to shut down his efforts to return to the mound. Ohtani said Tuesday that he is now focused on hitting and does not expect to pitch again this season, although he has not been officially ruled out.
The bigger concern is whether he will even be available consistently as a hitter.
Ohtani has struggled at the plate while dealing with the physical issues. Since restarting his throwing program in August, he has been hitting just .204 with a .704 OPS and 32 strikeouts over 93 at-bats. The Dodgers have acknowledged that he has not looked like himself physically.
Now, after sitting out three consecutive games, an IL stint is becoming a legitimate possibility.
Dodgers need the playoff bye
This is where Ohtani’s situation could directly impact the Dodgers’ postseason path.
Entering September 8, Los Angeles held the second-best record in the National League behind Milwaukee, putting the Dodgers in position for one of the league’s two first-round playoff byes. The top two division winners receive those byes, while the remaining four teams must play a best-of-three Wild Card Series.
The Dodgers had a two-game lead over Atlanta for the second bye entering Tuesday, but they also hold a head-to-head tiebreaker disadvantage against both the Braves and Brewers.
That makes every game important.
A Wild Card Series would mean additional games immediately before the Division Series, leaving less time for Ohtani and the rest of the roster to recover. A bye, meanwhile, would give Ohtani several additional days to rest and potentially get healthy.
The Dodgers won the World Series last season without a first-round bye, so missing out would not automatically end their championship hopes. But with Ohtani already battling multiple injuries, the difference between resting for the Division Series and playing a Wild Card Series could become enormous.
If Ohtani has to go on the IL, the Dodgers’ ability to maintain their playoff seeding could become one of the most important storylines of the final weeks of the regular season.
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