Alarm bells rang in Los Angeles. Shohei Ohtani left Friday night's game on July 3 after feeling discomfort in his right biceps during his last at-bat. Manager Dave Roberts confirmed that the Japanese phenom will be out of the lineup as the designated hitter while the team cautiously evaluates his condition.

Roberts was clear when speaking to the media: there is no significant concern about the severity of the injury, but the organization prefers not to take any risks. Ohtani himself explained that it is the same discomfort he experienced a couple of months ago, which disappeared "relatively quickly" back then. The exit from the game was strictly precautionary, not due to an acute injury, as confirmed by the manager.

The most likely scenario is for Ohtani to return to action after the All-Star Game, held from July 14 to 16 in St. Louis. This would give his biceps the recovery time the medical staff deems necessary without compromising his participation in the second half of the season.

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A Historic Season That Can't Afford Long Pauses

The news comes at the worst possible time for the Dodgers—not because the injury is severe, but because Ohtani is putting together another historic season. As a hitter, he is batting .291 with 18 home runs, 50 RBIs, and 60 runs scored so far this season, according to Baseball Reference. On the mound, his record stands at 8-2, solidifying him once again as the most dominant two-way player of the modern era.

Advanced metrics from Statcast confirm his offensive production is no fluke: he posts an average exit velocity of 93.6 mph, a 16.1% barrel rate, and a 52.7% hard-hit rate, alongside a .410 xwOBA that places him among the very best hitters in the league. These numbers explain why Los Angeles cannot afford to lose him for any longer than absolutely necessary.

The Biceps: The Most Concerning Body Part for a Two-Way Player

Any discomfort in a pitcher's biceps triggers immediate alarm, and with good reason. This muscle is fundamental for both the pitching motion and swing mechanics, making Ohtani an especially delicate case; if the discomfort affects both functions, the risk of worsening the injury multiplies with every appearance.

Roberts emphasized that the plan is conservative precisely for that reason. Pushing Shohei Ohtani right now, with the All-Star break less than two weeks away, would be an unnecessary gamble. The Japanese star has shown a remarkable ability to recover from physical ailments in the past without them escalating into major injuries, but the organization is unwilling to rely on that resilience when the schedule offers a natural break just around the corner.

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Dodgers Watchful, But No Panic

Los Angeles enters this stretch of the year as one of the most solid teams in the National League, with Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts, and the rest of the lineup absorbing the offensive load while Ohtani rests. The depth of the Los Angeles Dodgers' roster allows them to manage a brief absence without the team collapsing—something Dave Roberts is also keeping in mind when making this decision.

The key will be how the biceps responds over the next few days. If the discomfort fades as quickly as it did the first time, Ohtani could be back sooner than expected. If not, the All-Star break serves as the perfect cushion to guarantee he returns in peak condition for the second half of the season—which is, ultimately, what defines who heads into October with the best odds.

Who is Shohei Ohtani?

Shohei Ohtani was born on July 5, 1994, in Oshu, Japan. A two-way player for the Los Angeles Dodgers, he is considered the most complete baseball player of the modern era. He made his MLB debut in 2018 with the Angels before signing with Los Angeles in 2024. A winner of three consecutive MVP awards, he is the only player in baseball history to consistently combine dominance as a rotation ace and an elite power hitter over multiple seasons.

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