Dodgers fans were put on edge Saturday when Shohei Ohtani, the team’s superstar hitter, was taken out of the game in the ninth inning against San Diego due to some tightness in his back. Manager Dave Roberts assured reporters, like Jack Harris of the L.A. Times, that while there’s concern about Ohtani’s condition, it’s currently minimal. Roberts mentioned that they’ll assess Ohtani’s condition on Sunday, leaning towards giving him a day off to recuperate.
Ohtani garnered global attention last winter when he signed an unprecedented 10-year contract with the Dodgers, worth a staggering $700 million, though with deferrals, the present value of the deal is around $460 million. Despite not showcasing his pitching skills this season due to recovering from elbow surgery, Ohtani has been exceptional at the plate, boasting an impressive .352/.423/.667 slash line in his initial 40 games with the Dodgers. So far, he leads the league in hits, doubles, slugging percentage, and OPS, and tops the National League in batting average, with 11 home runs in just 183 plate appearances.
Ohtani’s extraordinary offensive performance makes any absence a significant setback for the Dodgers’ lineup. If Ohtani needs time off, Miguel Rojas or Enrique Hernandez are the likely replacements in the starting lineup, with the possibility of young Miguel Vargas getting a chance if the absence is prolonged.
