Dodgers Weigh Benching Ohtani After NLCS Collapse

Key points

• Dodgers manager Dave Roberts acknowledged that benching Ohtani is a possibility due to his poor performance and injury concerns, stating he will discuss the decision with Ohtani before the next game.
• Ohtani has struggled significantly in the postseason, batting .150 and recording only one RBI since August 19, including a 0-for-4 performance with two strikeouts in Game 2 against the Milwaukee Brewers.
• ESPN reporter Aiden Gonzalez noted that Ohtani would only sit if he felt his left knee and right bicep injuries were compromised, but the plan is to keep him playing if he feels fit.
• If Ohtani is benched, rookie Josue De Paula, who debuted in September, is expected to take his spot in the lineup to provide a fresh offensive spark.
• Ohtani has not pitched since July 3 due to health issues, and his recent at-bats have been described as 'unrecognizable' by The Athletic, including a rare bunt attempt in Game 2.

Background

Ohtani’s 2026 season has been defined by persistent injuries to his left knee and right bicep, leading to his exclusion from pitching duties since July. The Dodgers previously moved him to the fifth spot in the batting order during the NLDS due to these concerns. Despite clinching the NL West title in September, the team faced a late-season slump, and Ohtani’s return to hitting in September was marked by continued struggles, setting the stage for his current postseason difficulties.

How outlets are covering it

Bleacher Report and The Athletic emphasize Ohtani’s dramatic decline in performance, describing his recent at-bats as 'unrecognizable' and highlighting his lack of power since August. ESPN focuses on the conditional nature of the decision, noting that Ohtani’s participation depends on his self-assessment of his injury status. While all sources agree on the severity of his slump, The Athletic and Bleacher Report stress the difficulty of benching a player with four MVPs, whereas ESPN highlights the team’s reliance on Ohtani’s own judgment regarding his fitness.

Why it matters

The potential benching of Shohei Ohtani, one of baseball’s most decorated players, underscores the Dodgers’ desperation to reverse a 2-0 deficit in the NLCS. It highlights the tension between protecting a star player’s long-term health and the immediate need for offensive production in a high-stakes playoff series. The decision could also signal a shift in how teams manage elite players with lingering injuries during critical postseason moments.

What to watch

The Dodgers will decide on Ohtani’s status before Game 3 of the NLCS against the Milwaukee Brewers. If he is benched, Josue De Paula will likely enter the lineup. The outcome of this decision could influence the series momentum and Ohtani’s role in the remainder of the playoffs, if the Dodgers advance.