MILWAUKEE — Facing a two-game deficit in the National League Championship Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers are considering an unexpected roster adjustment: removing superstar designated hitter Shohei Ohtani from the starting lineup.
The Dodgers fell behind 2-0 against the Milwaukee Brewers following a 7-4 defeat on Monday night at American Family Field. Ohtani went hitless in four at-bats with two strikeouts, dropping his batting average to .150 during the 2026 postseason. Across both the division series and the first two games of the NLCS, the designated hitter has tallied only three hits in 20 at-bats, without an extra-base hit or an RBI.
Manager Plans Meeting With Superstar
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts acknowledged after the game that team leadership must evaluate Ohtani’s role ahead of Wednesday night’s Game 3 at Dodger Stadium. Roberts indicated that physical ailments and persistent offensive slumps have taken a heavy toll on the four-time league Most Valuable Player.
“Yeah, I mean obviously it hasn’t been good,” Roberts said, according to comments reported by The Athletic. “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. I’ll have that conversation with him tomorrow.”
Ohtani has navigated physical setbacks throughout the latter half of the season. He has not pitched since July 3 following an injured list stint, and his offensive output plummeted late in the summer. According to Bleacher Report, Ohtani has recorded only one RBI since Aug. 19, has not hit a home run since Aug. 18, and has batted below .160 during that stretch. During Monday’s loss, his struggles became so pronounced that he even attempted to lay down a bunt.
Rookie De Paula Viewed as Possible Alternative
Should the Dodgers decide to pull Ohtani from the lineup, rookie outfielder Josue De Paula would serve as the leading candidate to fill the designated hitter spot, The Athletic reported, citing a team source. De Paula reached the majors in September and has drawn two walks across three plate appearances this postseason.
The offensive drought extends beyond Ohtani. Catcher Will Smith was dropped to fifth in the batting order Monday and finished 0-for-4, leaving him 1-for-23 with eight strikeouts in the playoffs, the New York Post reported. Together, Ohtani and Smith went 0-for-8 in Game 2, leaving the middle of the order stagnant.
Los Angeles produced just three hits on Monday and relied on fielding miscues by Milwaukee starter Logan Henderson to score. After Henderson exited, four Brewers relievers — Dustin May, JoJo Romero, Abner Uribe and Aaron Ashby — retired 15 consecutive Dodgers batters over five scoreless innings to secure the victory. Dodgers starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto lasted only 3 2/3 innings, drawing misses on just four of 33 swings, the New York Post noted.
The series now shifts back to Los Angeles for Game 3 on Wednesday night. It remains to be seen whether Roberts and Ohtani will decide that rest is the best path forward, or if the Dodgers will keep faith in their franchise cornerstone with their season on the line.
