Dodgers weigh injured-list stint as Ohtani’s late-season availability falters

The Los Angeles Dodgers are considering placing Shohei Ohtani on the injured list after knee and bicep issues limited him to one appearance in their last seven games. The club expects to decide within a week, with 16 regular-season games remaining.

Ohtani has reportedly played through pain for about three months. The injuries have already ended his two-way role for the remainder of the year, leaving him available only as a hitter when fit.

He returned to the lineup on Monday after sitting out four consecutive games, going 0-for-3 with a walk and two strikeouts. Manager Dave Roberts said Ohtani experienced discomfort during a swing and had not fully recovered by Wednesday.

Roberts said the Dodgers would consult Ohtani and their medical staff before determining the next step. A 15-day injured-list stint is under consideration, although the team has spent months trying to avoid shutting him down.

The decision follows a difficult stretch at the plate. Ohtani was 6-for-46 without a home run across 12 games before his four-game absence. Fox Sports reported that his condition had become a source of disagreement between his apparent discomfort and earlier public comments from general manager Brandon Gomes.

The Dodgers have not confirmed an injured-list move, and the supplied report does not establish the precise nature or severity of Ohtani’s issues.