The Los Angeles Dodgers are weighing out their options with regard to struggling superstar Shohei Ohtani, including a possible benching.
After the Dodgers’ Game 2 loss and a 0-2 NLCS deficit, manager Dave Roberts said the Dodgers will talk with Ohtani about his role.
“Yeah, I mean obviously it hasn’t been good,” manager Dave Roberts said to The Athletic. “He doesn’t feel great. I think for me, it’s having a conversation with him tomorrow, kind of try to figure out what’s best for him, what’s best for us.
“He certainly has earned that conversation and deserves it. I’ll have (that conversation) with him tomorrow.”
Ohtani is dealing with neck, bicep, and knee injuries, which have led to lackluster results at the plate.
He went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in Game 2, while he went 1-for-4 with a walk in Game 1. Not only is he failing to produce at the plate, but he also looks rough with his swing and mechanics.
Ohtani is failing to catch up to some pitches, leading to wild whiffs. In fact, he bunted in the sixth inning against lefty reliever JoJo Romero, a sign of his struggles.
At his best and healthiest, Ohtani is one of the best hitters on the planet, able to slug and punish any pitch, no matter how hard it is.
However, right now he is failing to reach pitches, which keeps him from using his natural power.
The Dodgers are not set on sitting Ohtani, according to The Athletic, as the decision still needs to be made.
Who can replace Ohtani in the lineup?
One player could replace Ohtani: sweet-swinging rookie Josue De Paula, who is elite at reaching base and has a well-developed swing.
De Paula’s outfield defense is in a rough spot, so he can’t play in the outfield, but his swing is major league-ready, and he brings spark and swagger the Dodgers don’t have right now.
Down 0-2 in the series, the Dodgers may need to make this move or risk their offense underperforming again. Given De Paula’s approach at the plate and ability to punish pitches, it is hard to argue for Ohtani based on current performances.
Still, sitting a player like Ohtani, who has done so much for the sport and franchise, isn’t an easy call.