This article was generated by artificial intelligence and is automatically updated as news breaks. All credit belongs to the original reporters and their publications.

Shohei Ohtani is out of the Los Angeles Dodgers lineup for the second consecutive day as they begin a series against the Washington Nationals, per Dodgers staff at dodgerblue.com. Ohtani continues to manage lingering left knee soreness and discomfort while working on his pitching progression.

This back-to-back benching underscores how cautious the organization is being with Ohtani heading into the home stretch. The left knee soreness that first cropped up during the Cardinals series is clearly not a one-day issue. The Dodgers have the luxury of being able to rest him now—playoff positioning is largely secure, and the regular season is winding down. Better to have him on the sideline for a game or two against a weaker opponent than risk aggravating something that could linger into October.

Ohtani’s situation is complicated by the dual nature of his role. He’s trying to return to mound work while also dealing with the wear and tear that comes from being a full-time DH. Two games off gives the training staff a chance to assess whether the knee issue is minor inflammation or something that requires extended time. His approach at the plate has been pressing lately—the strikeout-heavy performance Wednesday showed a guy trying too hard instead of staying within himself. Rest can help with both the body and the mind.

For the Dodgers, this is another reminder that health is the trump card in September. We’d rather sacrifice two wins now to a Washington team and have Ohtani ready to roll for October than have him drag into the postseason compromised. The front office has been clear about the priority: get everyone to October whole. This latest rest day fits that template exactly.

Source(s): Staff (Dodgers Blue) | First reported: September 4, 2026 10:36 PM UTC

God Bless and Go Dodgers