Dave Roberts said on September 2, 2026, that Shohei Ohtani would sit out for the Los Angeles Dodgers, remain day to day and not be placed on the injured list at that time.
Roberts said Ohtani's symptoms had not been improving and that the accumulated workload from taking many swings contributed to the decision to rest him. He described the issue as involving the biceps, neck and related region, while stating that imaging showed no problem in the shoulder area. Roberts also acknowledged seeing Ohtani laboring and not feeling close to where he needed to be, while adding that Ohtani's knee had not affected his swing as far as he knew.
Roberts planned to speak with Ohtani and consult the Los Angeles Dodgers training staff on September 2 before deciding Ohtani's availability for September 3. He stated that the injured-list designation was unlikely but not impossible, and that Ohtani's pitching plans for the remainder of the 2026 season remained open.
As the manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Roberts explained that he must weigh Ohtani's desire to play against potential harm to the player and the club. He said, "I'm not going to just put him in there because of the name on the back of his jersey." Roberts cited his experience managing Clayton Kershaw, saying, "I've had a lot of practice with Clayton." He expressed confidence that Ohtani would look like the expected player by October if the Dodgers handled the next three and a half to four weeks properly.
Roberts texted Ohtani that he would not play, and Ohtani responded with a salute emoji. The Dodgers acquired Tylor Megill, while Roki Sasaki was scheduled to throw a bullpen on September 3 and was unavailable because of a blister. Emmet Sheehan was placed on the injured list, with Roberts saying Sheehan would have several days without throwing before being reevaluated in two weeks.
The Dodgers had discussed how to fill the rotation spot opened by Sheehan's injured-list placement but were not ready to announce the plan, leaving Ohtani's availability for September 3 as Roberts' next decision.