Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani placed on injured list (IL)

Major League Baseball Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani, who is suffering from inflammation in his left knee and discomfort in his upper right arm, has been placed on the injured list (IL).

Major League Baseball's official website reported that Manager Roberts made the announcement after the game against the Reds on the 9th (10th Japan time). Otani missed four consecutive games starting on the 3rd. He made his first start in five games against the Reds on the 7th, but after the game he complained of discomfort in his upper right arm. He was absent on the 8th and 9th.

This is his first time on the IL since September 2023, when he was with the Angels, and his first time since joining the Dodgers.

In Major League Baseball, by placing an injured player on the IL, a replacement player can be registered on the 26-man bench.

Once you enter IL, you cannot re-register for a certain period of time. For "pitchers" and "two-way players who pitch and hit," the regulation states that the period is 15 days.

This season, Ohtani has been playing since June despite suffering from inflammation in his left knee and discomfort in his upper right arm. On the 7th of this month, he announced his intention to give up participating as a pitcher this season.

Since he hasn't played in a game, the team could put Ohtani on the IL from the 8th at the earliest. He will be able to return to games once the period is over, but depending on his recovery, there is a possibility that he will be forced to sit out the rest of the regular season.

The Dodgers are in first place in the National League West with 89 wins and 57 losses. They are currently in the lead with an 11-game lead over the second-place Padres in the division. The team is currently in good shape with seven consecutive wins. This is because winning the district championship for five consecutive years is considered a magic six, and there is no need to push Otani too hard during the regular season.

Ohtani hasn't hit a home run since hitting his 30th of the season against the Rockies on August 18th. During that time, he participated in 13 games, had 6 hits in 49 at bats (batting average of .122), and had 21 strikeouts.