Ohtani, back in Dodgers' lineup, likely won't pitch rest of season - ESPN

LOS ANGELES — Shohei Ohtani confirmed Monday night he is «most likely» not going to pitch again this season, a growing reality given his recent injuries and the shrinking calendar, adding that he is «focusing on hitting moving forward.»

«Disappointing,» Ohtani, speaking through an interpreter, said of essentially scrapping his two-way ambitions. «But I want to make sure that when I look back this season that I used this as an experience, a learning experience, and make sure that I use that as something to improve upon for next season.»

First, though, Ohtani needs to worry about his health for this campaign. Monday marked his return to the Los Angeles Dodgers' lineup after a four-day absence prompted by an accumulation of ailments that manifested themselves in an ugly 10th-inning at-bat Wednesday night, during which he was clearly in pain.

Ohtani, who went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts and a walk in a 6-3 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Labor Day, expressed discomfort along the right side of his neck and into his arm Wednesday night. But he also has spent months dealing with soreness in his left knee. And he saw a right biceps issue from earlier this season flare up during an Aug. 28 bullpen session. That marked the last time Ohtani threw a baseball. The Dodgers don't know when he'll do so again, but that is clearly not the priority at the moment.

«Yes, he loves pitching, loves being a two-way player,» Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. «But right now, it just doesn't make any sense.»

Ohtani said his concern lies mostly with his right biceps and left knee. He was asked whether those ailments have played a part in his recent slump, which saw him accumulate seven hits and 20 strikeouts in 51 at-bats before taking Thursday,