Wednesday’s lineup announcement for the Dodgers brought unexpected news as Shohei Ohtani’s absence left fans puzzled and intrigued. With speculation mounting about the reasons behind Ohtani’s benching, theories emerged regarding the team’s strategy. Join us as we delve into the potential motives behind Ohtani’s absence and its implications for the Dodgers’ lineup composition.

Shohei Ohtani Not in Dodgers’ Lineup on Wednesday, Here’s Why

For the first time this season, Shohei Ohtani will not play. The Los Angeles Dodgers have given their $700 million designated hitter the day off for Wednesday’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed this is a normal day off for Ohtani, per The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya.

The Dodgers are coming off a 4-3 loss to the Diamondbacks on Tuesday, when the game got delayed two hours due to bees swarming the net behind home plate. The delay caused the game to go on until late Tuesday night, and Ohtani will now take the next game off.

Adidas Says “You Got This”

Shohei Ohtani Strives to Be the Absolute Best … Even at Getting Some Shuteye - Sports Illustrated

Prior to getting Wednesday’s game off, Ohtani was one of the four Dodgers to have played in every game this season along with teammates Freddie Freeman, Teoscar Hernández and Mookie Betts. With Ohtani out of the lineup, Freeman will bat second, catcher Will Smith will bat third and play as the designated hitter, and Hernández will bat fourth. Catcher Austin Barnes will make his return to the lineup for the first time this series.

The Dodgers will have to make do without one of their best hitters against the Diamondbacks. Ohtani has slashed .336/.399/.618 this season with seven home runs and 19 RBIs. Ohtani is top-10 in both batting average and home runs in his first season with the Dodgers.

While there’s no replacing Ohtani, the Dodgers should be capable of getting a win without him. Los Angeles is 19-13 on the season, and hold plenty of other great stars in Freeman, Betts and Smith, among others.

With the Dodgers having the day off on Thursday, Ohtani is expected to return to the lineup on Friday, when the Dodgers return home to Dodger Stadium to take on the Atlanta Braves. The 20-9 Braves have been one of the best squads in MLB over the last few years, and the Dodgers will need Ohtani ready

Related Posts

Putting on a Sho. 🔥 Congratulations Shohei on being named the NL Player of the Week!

LOS ANGELES (KABC) — L.A. Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani has been chosen as the National League Player of the Week, the MLB announced on Monday. Ohtani joins…

Los Angeles Dodgers fans have been eagerly awaiting news on outfielder Jason Heyward’s return from injury, and finally, there’s a glimmer of hope. Reports indicate that Heyward is making significant progress in his recovery, sparking excitement and anticipation among fans as they look forward to his potential impact on the team’s lineup.

Los Angeles Dodgers veteran outfielder Jason Heyward is making significant strides in his recovery from his back injury. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, in a statement to reporters…

Shohei got Doc a car. This is a true statement. 😂

Shohei Ohtani gifted new teammate Joe Kelly’s wife with a new Porsche Panamera, a sports car with a sticker price between $100,000 and $200,000, when the Dodgers…

Mookie Magic: Congratulations to Mookie on Being Named NL Player of the Month!

In a league brimming with talent and fierce competition, one player’s stellar performance has risen above the rest, earning him the prestigious title of National League Player…

Shohei Ohtani & Wife Mamiko Make Red Carpet Debut at Dodgers Charity Event

Shohei Ohtani and his wife Mamiko are now a red carpet official couple! The 29-year-old baseball player posed for photos with his wife while attending the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation’s 2024…

In a candid discussion, Dave Roberts sheds light on the decision to keep Shohei Ohtani out of the Dodgers’ lineup for Wednesday’s game. This revelation gives fans a deeper understanding of the team’s tactics and provides clarity on Ohtani’s role in the upcoming match.

Shohei Ohtani is out of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ lineup on Wednesday for the first time this season. After starting at designated hitter in each of the Dodgers’…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *