Dave Roberts said on September 3, 2026, that Shohei Ohtani would remain out of the Los Angeles Dodgers' lineup for another day while the team reassesses his condition daily.
Roberts said Ohtani would begin moving his body without preparing to start, with daily communication continuing before the Dodgers give him the green light. "Let's see when the time to hit the green light is," Roberts stated. He added that Ohtani wants to play for the Dodgers and has accepted decisions made in the best interests of himself and the team, while the Dodgers training staff provides input on his recovery.
Roberts explained that Ohtani's need for recovery appeared to be both physical and mental. "I think it's both," he said, adding that Ohtani could remain out for five, six or seven days. Roberts said Ohtani had not done plyometrics for several days, and that the interruption would push back his potential pitching timeline: "Certainly pushes it back." He also noted that testing found no notable biceps inflammation or other significant finding, saying, "There was nothing of note at all," while Ohtani's neck had appeared to be in a decent spot on September 2, 2026.
Roberts stated that playing Ohtani in his recent condition would not benefit the Dodgers because "It's not good to have that version of him." He also said Roki Sasaki threw with his blister covered and that "The blister was healing nicely." Roberts stood in against Sasaki and joked, "I'm much better where I'm at right now than in a batter's box."
Edwin Díaz had what Roberts called his best day of the recovery process, and Roberts expected Díaz to receive a rehabilitation assignment or additional minor-league outings. "I would assume a rehab or some more lives," Roberts said. Bobby Miller was held out of playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers and was in a holding pattern, while Roberts said Freddie Freeman's absence was only for one day and that he would return during the remainder of the homestand.