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 could be headed to the injured list as the Dodgers begin weighing the option after he’s missed his second straight game with left knee soreness, per MLB.com. The organization has been cautious with their franchise centerpiece throughout the season, but now that caution appears to be shifting toward a more decisive step if the knee issue doesn’t improve quickly.

Ohtani’s injury troubles have defined much of his 2026 season. First came the biceps soreness, then the knee issues that cropped up during the Cardinals series. Add in his ongoing pitching progression—work he’s been carefully managing since returning to the mound in late August—and the load on his body has been substantial. The fact that he’s now missed consecutive games suggests this isn’t a simple day-to-day soreness. An IL placement would signal the Dodgers believe extended rest is necessary to get him right before October.

The timing complicates things. We’re in early September with the regular season winding down and playoff spots largely secure. An IL stint now costs the team games in the stretch run but potentially preserves Ohtani’s health for the postseason—where his impact is multiplied exponentially. It’s a calculation the front office appears ready to make if the knee doesn’t respond to a few days of rest.

For the Dodgers’ rotation and lineup, an Ohtani IL placement removes both a hitter and a potential future pitcher option from the equation. The rotation is already dealing with Eric Lauer on the IL with elbow inflammation. We’ve been leaning on Emmet Sheehan and other depth arms to fill gaps. If Ohtani heads to the IL, that’s another piece of our flexibility gone. But if it gets him to October healthy, it’s a trade worth making. The postseason is the prize. Everything else is secondary.

Source(s): Staff (MLB.com) | First reported: September 5, 2026 1:23 AM UTC

God Bless and Go Dodgers