Stephen A. Smith says whether the Dodgers should consider benching Shohei Ohtani for Game 3

The Los Angeles Dodgers are back in postseason action on Wednesday night but there have been doubts over whether or not Shohei Ohtani will feature.

Ohtani has reportedly been playing through an injury, with suggestions of left knee and right biceps pain.

However, given the Dodgers’ recent struggles, they probably can’t afford to be without one of their top stars in Game 3.

Now, speaking on First Take, Jessica Mendoza and Stephen A. Smith have been discussing whether they should consider benching Ohtani, with Smith seemingly adamant he needs to play some part.

Stephen A. Smith thinks Shohei Ohtani needs to play for the Dodgers vs the Milwaukee Brewers

Smith suggested that the player’s $700 million deal must be taken into account, saying he needs to ‘find a way to do something if you get paid’ that much money.

He said: “Listen, I agree with you totally. I just have a cardinal rule. I ain’t benching nobody I’m paying $700 million to.

“$700 million. Oh you gonna play, you gonna go out there, I don’t give a d*** if you embarrass yourself. You gonna find a way to do something if you get paid $700 million. That’s where I’m at with it Jessica.”

The Dodgers are currently 0-2 against the Milwaukee Brewers in the series, losing 2-1 and 7-4 so far.

They will not be eliminated if they lose on Wednesday, but it would mean that the Brewers would require just one more victory to win the seven-game series.

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