Dodgers consider benching Ohtani as NLCS deficit widens

Summarised from 3 outlets · 7 reports · Updated 13 Oct, 20:45 · Archive

The Los Angeles Dodgers are considering benching Shohei Ohtani after falling 0–2 to the Milwaukee Brewers in the NLCS.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are considering benching Shohei Ohtani after losing the first two games of their National League Championship Series to the Milwaukee Brewers, leaving them facing a 0–2 deficit in the best-of-seven series.

Ohtani's struggles at the plate have been stark. He is hitting .150 this postseason with three hits—all singles—across 24 plate appearances, with no extra-base hits and seven strikeouts. In Game 2, a 7–4 loss on Monday, Ohtani went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts. Over the entire postseason, he has recorded no runs batted in, a marked contrast to his 24 postseason RBIs in 2024 and 2025 when he helped the Dodgers win the World Series. He has not hit a home run since August 18.

Manager Dave Roberts told The Athletic that the team would have a conversation with Ohtani about his status for Game 3 on Wednesday. "Yeah, I mean, obviously it hasn't been good," Roberts said. "He doesn't feel great. I think for me, it's having a conversation with him tomorrow, kind of try to figure out what's best for him, what's best for us. He certainly has earned that conversation and deserves it."

Ohtani's struggles come amid ongoing injuries. The four-time MVP missed time late in the regular season with pain in his left knee and right biceps, and the Dodgers have acknowledged he is playing well below full health. His season as a pitcher has already ended due to these injuries.

Roberts had previously moved Ohtani down to fifth in the batting order during the NLDS against Atlanta, his lowest lineup position since 2020. A source confirmed to the California Post that the decision about Game 3 would centre on whether Ohtani felt healthy enough to remain the starting designated hitter.

Despite Ohtani's postseason struggles, team executives had previously expressed confidence in his eventual revival. Roberts promised Ohtani would "come to life" eventually, and president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman predicted that "at some point, it's going to click for him." However, with the Dodgers now facing elimination concerns, the team may not be able to wait much longer for that turnaround.

How it is being reported

• Dodgers could bench slumping Shohei Ohtani for most important game of the season: reportShohei Ohtani is hitting just .150 this postseason, and Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he may bench the slugger for Game 3 of the NLCS.Fox News · 13 Oct, 17:19
• Dodgers consider benching Shohei Ohtani in shock move as they cling on to World Series hopesWith his season as a pitcher already over, Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani could be relegated to the dugout hen the NLCS resumes Wednesday.Daily Mail Sport · 13 Oct, 14:33
• Bench Shohei Ohtani? Dodgers have to consider drastic action with season in dangerShohei Ohtani's injury-hampered postseason got a whole lot worse on Monday in Milwaukee. As a result, the Dodgers might have to consider dropping him to the bench.New York Post · 13 Oct, 05:23
• Dodgers having ‘conversation’ to bench Shohei Ohtani amid slump, inury woes in NLCSThe Los Angeles Dodgers are facing a 0-2 deficit in the NLCS and could do the unthinkable. According to Ken Rosenthal and Katie Woo of The Athletic, manager Dave Roberts is considering benching Shohei Ohtani, who is in the midst of an egregious slump. “Yeah I mean obviously it hasn’t been good,” Dodgers manager Dave...New York Post · 13 Oct, 03:46
• Shohei Ohtani, Will Smith are zeros again in Dodgers’ devastating Game 2 NLCS lossThere was plenty of blame to go around in the Dodgers' Game 2 NLCS loss to the Brewers on Monday. But Shohei Ohtani and Will Smith once agains stood outNew York Post · 13 Oct, 02:33
• Drop slumping Will Smith in NLCS lineup? Dodgers manager has surprise responseShohei Ohtani has gotten much of the negative attention around the Dodgers this October. But Will Smith's numbers are (much) worseNew York Post · 12 Oct, 16:23
• Dave Roberts won’t ‘hang my hat’ on Shohei Ohtani returning to form in NLCS, but still has blind faithThe Dodgers don't know exactly how, or why, or when it will happen. But they still expect big things from Shohei Ohtani this postseason.New York Post · 11 Oct, 21:42

In this story: Shohei Ohtani · Milwaukee Brewers · Los Angeles Dodgers · Dave Roberts · Will Smith

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem