Dave Roberts held out Shohei Ohtani from the Los Angeles Dodgers' lineup on September 3, 2026, because Ohtani's symptoms had not improved.
Roberts said Ohtani's biceps and neck-region symptoms had not been getting better, adding that the accumulation of swings contributed to the decision to rest him. He also stated that the Dodgers' evaluation found no issue in the shoulder area and that Ohtani's knee had not affected his swing.
Roberts explained that he would evaluate Ohtani after the rest day, consult the Los Angeles Dodgers training staff and decide his status for September 4, 2026, saying, "I don't think I'll have a decision until tomorrow." He considered injured-list placement "unlikely, but you know, not impossible."
Roberts noted that he would prioritize the team's benefit rather than Ohtani's desire to play, saying, "I'm not going to just put him in there because of the name on the back of his jersey." He cited his experience managing Clayton Kershaw, saying, "I've had a lot of practice with Clayton." Ohtani responded to Roberts' message that he would not play with a salute emoji.
Roberts added that the Dodgers would keep their options open regarding Ohtani pitching again in the 2026 season, saying, "For now. For now." The team had discussed how to fill the rotation spot but was not ready to announce its plan. Roberts also said Eric Lauer would have a few days without throwing before the team revisited his status in two weeks, while Roki Sasaki was scheduled to throw a bullpen session on September 4, 2026, while remaining off the injured list because of a blister.
Roberts said the Dodgers needed to navigate the next three and a half to four weeks before October and expressed confidence that Ohtani would look like the expected player by October if that period was handled properly: "I'm very confident that we'll see the guy that we all expect to see."