*This content was translated by AI.
Even the "god of baseball" could not completely avoid the trap of injury. Shohei Ohtani (32) of the Los Angeles Dodgers was placed on the injured list (IL) due to right arm pain. This marks his first time leaving the lineup since donning a Dodgers uniform ahead of the 2024 season, and it is his first IL placement in three years since 2023 during his time with the Los Angeles Angels.
The Dodgers officially announced Ohtani's 15-day IL placement on the 10th (Korean time) following their game against the Cincinnati Reds at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. The effective date of the placement is retroactive to the 9th. According to local media, Ohtani will remain in Los Angeles to focus on treatment and recovery rather than joining the team on its road trip to Miami and Cincinnati.
That day, the Dodgers routed the Reds 14-1 without Ohtani, extending their winning streak to seven games and reducing their National League West division magic number to "6." While the atmosphere was celebratory following the decisive victory, a somber mood also lingered. According to Japanese baseball media Full Count, just eight minutes after sharing a Haifa Eve celebration with teammates on the field, Ohtani left Dodger Stadium alone through its dim corridors in civilian attire.
It was reportedly at the moment when the official interview of starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who secured his 13th win of the season, was just beginning. The clubhouse locker area, opened to reporters ahead of the road trip, already contained only Ohtani's baseball equipment—his bat, spikes, and glove—left behind as if he had already clocked out for the day.
In an official press conference held 31 minutes after Ohtani's departure, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts provided specific details about Ohtani's physical condition. Manager Roberts stated, "After in-depth discussions with Ohtani himself, medical staff, and the training department, we made this decision." He added, "We tried to delay the placement as much as possible, but we determined that resetting and fully regaining his physical condition was the best choice."
Recently, Ohtani has alternated between playing as a designated hitter and taking rest while managing discomfort in his right arm. In his return game on the 8th after being excluded from the lineup, he went hitless in three at-bats, and this pattern of struggling to perform normally again the day after a rest day continued. With little expectation of rapid improvement, the organization ultimately made its decision. It appears they have effectively given up on Ohtani pitching for this season.
When asked about Ohtani's reaction, Manager Roberts said, "As a player who is extremely eager to compete, he was deeply disappointed and visibly frustrated." However, he added, "He also understands and accepts that stopping now is necessary if he wants to deliver the best performance he aims for during October's postseason."
Ohtani plans to completely halt batting practice for the next two to three days, take full rest, and then gradually increase his training intensity. Under IL regulations, Ohtani's earliest possible return date is the 24th, just five games before the regular season concludes, in a home game against the San Diego Padres.
Finally, Manager Roberts emphasized, "If tomorrow were a postseason game, Ohtani would have played." He added, "I am confident that with sufficient time for treatment and recovery, he will return in an even stronger condition." He reiterated that this pause serves as a necessary breather for both the Dodgers and Ohtani, who are targeting October's long-awaited autumn baseball, to prepare for a greater leap forward.
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*This content was translated by AI.
