Shohei Ohtani is trending towards a return to the Los Angeles Dodgers lineup on Monday, but appears unlikely to pitch again this season.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters on Sunday that he sees Ohtani playing in the first game of their series against the Cincinnati Reds, "if nothing changes or continues to trend."
Roberts added that while Ohtani's return to the mound has not been officially ruled out, it's unlikely at this stage of the season.
"We can all do the math,” Roberts said.
Ohtani missed his fourth consecutive game on Sunday night against the Nationals with left knee and right biceps discomfort. Before this stint, the two-way star had never missed more than two straight games since signing his 10-year, $700-million contract with the Dodgers in 2024.
Ohtani went just 7 for 51 (.137) with one home run over his past 13 games before sitting out. He struck out a season-high four times against the St. Louis Cardinals in the last game he played in on Wednesday.
Winner of three consecutive league MVP awards, Ohtani is having a down year by his lofty standards. However, the 32-year-old slugger still has 30 home runs, 80 RBIs, 11 stolen bases and a .279/.381/.525 slash line.
He was also lights out on the mound before nagging ailments limited him to designated hitter duties, pitching to a 1.79 ERA with 95 strikeouts and 26 walks over 85.2 innings.
Tommy Edman hit leadoff in Ohtani's absence for a fourth straight game as the Dodgers aimed to sweep their three-game series against the Nationals.
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