Shohei Ohtani’s season has hit a jarring pause at exactly the wrong time for the Dodgers.
Los Angeles placed its two-way star on the 15-day injured list on Sept. 9, and manager Dave Roberts made it clear the club waited as long as it could before making the move. Ohtani, who opened the year with a real shot at a fourth straight MVP, now has to sit out the next stretch as the Dodgers push toward October.
“It’s the right thing to do, we tried to kick the bucket as much as we could," Roberts said.
The latest setback comes after Ohtani was dealing with pain in his left knee, right biceps and neck. He had already been out of the starting lineup for three straight games last week before returning on Sept.
- In the Dodgers’ 6-3 win over the Reds that day, he went 0-3 with a walk and two strikeouts, then ended up back on the bench.
Roberts later confirmed Ohtani was going on the IL after Los Angeles’ 14-1 win over Cincinnati on Wednesday night.
This isn’t new territory for Ohtani during this season. On June 11, he came out of a game after feeling pain in his left knee while trying to steal a base against the Pirates.
Three weeks later, he was pinch-hit for after tightness showed up in his right biceps. He has not pitched since before the All-Star Break, and he told reporters he was not planning to try to return to the mound for the 2026 season.
Even with Ohtani sidelined, the Dodgers still sit in World Series-contending territory. But his absence changes the shape of the stretch run, especially with the postseason closing in fast.
The AL and NL Wild Card series begin on Tuesday, Sept. 29, with the Divisional Round starting Oct. 3.
Because Ohtani is still listed as a two-way player, the rules keep him out for 15 days rather than the usual 10. That means he cannot return to the Dodgers’ lineup until Sept.
- MLB’s current collective bargaining agreement with MLBPA requires pitchers and two-way players to remain in the dugout for 15 days before rejoining action.
Los Angeles also made a roster move to fill the spot, calling up outfielder Josue De Paula, MLB Pipeline’s No. 6 prospect.
The Dodgers now move through a packed final stretch without their biggest name in the lineup. Their remaining schedule runs through Sept. 27 and includes trips to Miami and Cincinnati, a home series against the Giants, three games against the Padres, and then a final set at San Francisco.
Ohtani’s injury record has included plenty of bumps over the years. He has dealt with nagging elbow trouble and occasional hand issues, and he missed three seasons because of Tommy John surgery, remaining limited to hitting in 2019, 2020 and 2023.
He stayed in the lineup through those stretches, and in 2023 he won NL MVP after what the source described as perhaps the greatest season ever for a designated hitter. He also had operations on his knee and ankle while with NPB’s Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters.
Without him, the Dodgers’ lineup looks different, and Roberts may keep shuffling the pieces. One possible alignment has Tommy Edman leading off in center field, followed by Will Smith as the DH, Mookie Betts at shortstop, Max Muncy at third, Teoscar Hernandez in left, Kyle Tucker in right, Hunter Feduccia catching, Alex Freeland at second and Kike Hernandez at first. Smith could also catch at times, while Freeman and De Paula could see time as the designated hitter depending on the matchup.
In Other News...
Georgia May Have Found An Unexpected Answer On The Offensive Line
Georgias offensive line got a fresh look in the opener against Tennessee State, and one of the more notable developments was true freshman Zykie Helton earning the start at right guard. For Kirby Smart, it marked the third time a true freshman offensive lineman has started a season opener in his tenure, another sign that Georgia has not been afraid to trust a young player when the competition and the preparation point in that direction.
Helton got there by putting together a strong spring and arriving early to get a head start, but his path has also been shaped by far more than football. He dealt with Crohns disease and major health challenges in high school, and Smart pointed to both his toughness and his growth as reasons he has worked himself into a meaningful role up front. For Georgia, the larger question now is how quickly that early opportunity turns into something lasting along the line. [Read more 🡒]
Georgia May Be Hiding A Big Part Of Gunner Stocktons Game
Gunner Stocktons debut in Georgias opener against Tennessee State offered only a glimpse of what the Bulldogs may eventually ask of him. In a comfortable win, he never ran the ball, and there was little reason to force the issue with Georgia controlling the game so thoroughly. For now, the emphasis is on easing him into the offense and letting his passing game take center stage.
Western Kentucky should provide another chance for Georgia to keep Stockton upright and keep the plan simple. The expectation is that the Bulldogs will continue to limit his rushing attempts in the near term, using these early games to sharpen his development as a passer before the tougher SEC stretch arrives, when his full mobility is more likely to become part of the equation. [Read more 🡒]
Stetson Bennett Gives Georgia Fans A Reason To Smile Amid NIL Anger
Stetson Bennetts climb with the Los Angeles Rams keeps giving Georgia fans a familiar reminder of how far the former Bulldogs quarterback can go. The Rams named Bennett their backup for the first time in his NFL career, a notable step for a player who became a staple of Georgias championship run and remains one of the programs most recognizable success stories.
Back in Athens, the week has brought a different kind of chatter, with Kirby Smart again leaning on his message about continuous improvement as Georgia prepares for Western Kentucky. But the online noise has centered on the Bulldogs NIL collective, Glory Glory Georgia, which put week one game highlights behind a $20 monthly paywall and drew criticism from fans who were quick to voice their frustration. [Read more 🡒]