Shohei Ohtani is not in the Los Angeles Dodgers' starting lineup Thursday as the club continues to assess how best to preserve the two-way star's health over the final month of the regular season.
Manager Dave Roberts described Ohtani's status as "day-to-day" and downplayed the likelihood of Ohtani going on the injured list. General manager Brandon Gomes echoed that assessment, telling reporters before Thursday's series finale against the St. Louis Cardinals that the situation does not currently warrant a move to the injured list.
"I'm not sure it's an IL-worthy thing right now," Gomes said. "Nothing has indicated that it should be an IL at this point."
The decision follows Wednesday's 8-6 loss in 10 innings to the Cardinals, during which Ohtani was hit by a pitch twice. He struck out four times in that game.
Ohtani's offensive production has declined since August 8, when he began hitting .204 with a .704 on-base plus slugging percentage. The Dodgers are managing his workload as the team enters the final stretch of the regular season.