Dodgers’ Roberts Keeps Ohtani in Game 3 Lineup; Star Batting Sixth Against Brewers
Ohtani remains in the NLCS lineup after Roberts weighed benching him amid health issues and postseason struggles.
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed Tuesday that Shohei Ohtani will remain in the team’s lineup for Game 3 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers.
When the lineup was announced Wednesday, Ohtani was slotted in the sixth spot. The decision followed Roberts’ disclosure that he was considering benching the four-time MVP because of health issues during the regular season and struggles at the plate to start the playoffs.
The Dodgers currently trail 2-0 in the series. Roberts said Ohtani was “very convicted” and “adamant” that he is close and feels good enough to play, according to MLB.com’s Sonja Chen.
Ohtani said through his interpreter that his injury-related symptoms have “subdued” as of late, per MLB Network’s Jon Morosi. “I take full responsibility . . . The symptoms shouldn’t be the reason I can’t hit,” he said, per Morosi.
Ohtani appeared in 135 contests during the regular season, his fewest since joining the Dodgers as a free agent in 2023. The two-way star initially dealt with left knee inflammation in July, which forced him to stop pitching.
Although Ohtani was able to continue hitting during that time, he was placed on the 15-day injured list due to lingering left knee and right biceps issues on Sept. 11. He returned before the regular season came to a close, but hit just .238 in five appearances.
Ohtani still hasn’t looked like his former self in the playoffs, owning a .150 batting average and a .411 OPS in six postseason contests. In the first two games of the NLCS, he went 1-for-7 with three strikeouts.
Despite the health woes, the 32-year-old was still productive during the regular season, racking up 26 doubles and 30 home runs to go along with 81 RBI.
As the Dodgers look to avoid a 3-0 series deficit and continue their quest for a third consecutive World Series title, they’ll need Ohtani to establish himself as a threat in the middle of the lineup once again.
Reporting by Bleacher Report. Read the original report: Shohei Ohtani's Status for NLCS G3 Lineup Revealed by Dodgers' Roberts amid Benching Consideration.
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