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Dodgers rest Shohei Ohtani as status turns day-to-day

9/4/2026

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Summary

Ohtani Rested

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts rested Shohei Ohtani for Thursday’s game against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Roberts told reporters Ohtani’s status is day-to-day and an IL stint is unlikely but possible.
Ohtani reported right-biceps, neck and left-knee discomfort during Wednesday’s 0-for-4, four-strikeout loss.
GM Brandon Gomes said there’s no sign Ohtani needs the IL, noting he hasn’t pitched since July 3.

Summary

Dodgers Chase

Dodgers sit 4½ games behind NL West leader, fighting for a top-two seed and Wild Card bye.
Ohtani trails Cubs star Pete Crow-Armstrong in the NL MVP race, with a 9.3 WAR lead.
Rotation includes Glasnow, Skubal, Snell and Yamamoto as a strong top four for the postseason.
Team averages 4.13 runs per game in the recent 45-game stretch.
Freddie Freeman ended a 47-game home-run drought.

Summary

Skubal Returns

Tarik Skubal returned to Detroit emotionally, citing a heavy heart before his Thursday start.
Skubal carries a 3.00 ERA with 37 strikeouts over 30 innings in five Dodgers starts.
Alex Call received an unusual designated-hitter assignment in the lineup against the Cardinals.
Miguel Rojas and Kike Hernández were inserted into the infield platoon to counter left-handed pitching.

History

Historical Context

MLB created the wild-card berth in 1995 after the 1994 strike, expanding the playoffs to eight teams. A 2022 revision added a third wild-card and gave the top two division winners a first-round bye. Today, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts must weigh rest for star Shohei Ohtani in a wild-card matchup against the St. Louis Cardinals, a decision rooted in those postseason reforms.

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Ohtani Rested

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts rested Shohei Ohtani for Thursday’s game against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Roberts told reporters Ohtani’s status is day-to-day and an IL stint is unlikely but possible.
Ohtani reported right-biceps, neck and left-knee discomfort during Wednesday’s 0-for-4, four-strikeout loss.
GM Brandon Gomes said there’s no sign Ohtani needs the IL, noting he hasn’t pitched since July 3.

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