As Shohei Ohtani continues to struggle for the Los Angeles Dodgers, the team is apparently considering how to use him moving forward, if at all.
The Los Angeles Dodgers have now lost both the opening games of their NLCS matchup against the Milwaukee Brewers. Game 2 was a big win for Milwaukee considering that Yoshinobu Yamamoto was the starting pitcher. He was far from his usual best. The bigger concern for LA right now, though, is their other Japanese superstar.
Shohei Ohtani’s second half of the 2026 regular season was derailed by injuries and a prolonged slump at the plate. His struggles have continued into the playoffs, where he has managed just three hits in 20 at-bats across the NLDS and first two NLCS games, with no extra-base hits or RBIs. This has forced the team to consider a radical option.
Los Angeles Dodgers discuss benching Shohei Ohtani for Game 3 against the Milwaukee Brewers
Ohtani is a four-time MVP in the MLB, he is widely considered by many to be the greatest baseball player ever. In fact, just last year against the Milwaukee Brewers, he was named NLCS MVP for his incredible performances. Life comes at you fast in sports, though.
The 32-year-old has already been dropped down the batting order by the Dodgers. Now, it seems like he might actually get left off the team entirely.
“Down 0-2 in the National League Championship Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers are going to consider the unfathomable ahead of their most important game of the season: benching superstar Shohei Ohtani,” Ken Rosenthal reported for The Athletic.
“Per a team source, if the Dodgers elect to sit Ohtani, who has dealt with injury concerns this season, rookie Josue De Paula would be the top candidate to take his place as designated hitter in the starting lineup.”
This would be quite embarrassing for a player of Ohtani’s stature if the team actually ended up going through with it. Yes, his form has been concerning to say the least, and the stakes are high. But he can be such a difference-maker that leaving him out entirely could be the wrong decision.
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