Another day, another game with Shohei Ohtani out of the Dodgers' lineup .
Just like on Thursday, Ohtani was out of the team's batting order on Friday as he continues to manage knee and biceps injuries.
And while manager Dave Roberts said he remains "hopeful" that the two-way star will avoid a stint on the injured list , he also conceded that he "wouldn't say [he was] confident" that would remain the case.
"It's just more of thinking through [what's best]," Roberts said when asked why his view of potential injured list for Ohtani had changed from Thursday, when both he and general manager Brandon Gomes said that would be unlikely.
"If [he comes back in] three days and we're back in the same spot two days later, then it wasn't the right decision. So if we're taking the time, we got to make sure that once he plays again, we feel good."
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani reacts after taking a strike during the 10th inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026, in Los Angeles. AP Photo/William Liang
While Ohtani has battled both of his injuries for most of this season — preventing him from pitching in a game since early July — his health status came under renewed scrutiny earlier this week amid a 6-for-46 slump at the plate; and, more alarmingly, a four-strikeout performance on Wednesday in which he appeared to be visibly pained while swinging .
Roberts said that, on Thursday, Ohtani had "essentially a spa day, where he didn't do a whole lot of anything, just watched a baseball game," and that the 32-year-old would go through a more normal day of physical activity on Friday to see how his body responds.
"I talked to him yesterday and said that this is what we're going to do," Roberts said. "It's a day-to-day thing, let's stay in communication, and let's see when the time to give the green light is."
Roberts described Ohtani as being "agreeable" to that plan, even though he hasn't conceded himself that his ailments have impacted him at the plate lately.
"He hasn't admitted it," Roberts said. "But I just think that clearly it's affecting [him]. What we saw a couple nights ago wasn't him, so clearly he was not feeling well. So it was pretty understood even before we had the conversation."
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Shohei Ohtani scores a run during the seventh inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026, in Los Angeles, California. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Roberts also said Ohtani has not done anything throwing in the last couple days, not even with plyo balls behind the scenes.
That will further delay Ohtani's pitching progression –– which had already been paused last week after a bullpen session in which he didn't feel 100%, scuttling plans for him to make an expected return to the mound last Sunday .
While the Dodgers have been hopeful of getting Ohtani back as a pitcher before the end of the season, that possibility now appears to be further in doubt with only four weeks remaining before the start of the playoffs.
The more immediate priority is getting Ohtani back to himself offensively, and deciding whether a more extended absence on the IL would be beneficial as October nears.
"He wants to be out there, wants to play," Roberts said. "But he's understanding … that whatever decision we make is in the best interest for him and the team."
