Shohei Ohtani not in Dodgers’ starting lineup vs. Padres because of back tightness
SAN DIEGO (AP) – Shohei Ohtani was not in the Dodgers’ starting lineup against the San Diego Padres on Sunday because of back tightness that forced him to exit a game Saturday night.
Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts said sitting Ohtani would be a precautionary measure.
Ohtani left after his fourth at-bat in a 5-0 win over the Padres on Saturday night. He went 0 for 3 with a walk, grounding out to the pitcher in his final at-bat in the seventh inning. He was replaced by pinch-hitter Kiké Hernández in the ninth.
His back tightened up,” Roberts said on Saturday night. “So it was one of those things where I got word before his fourth at-bat his back tightened up. So, being up 5-0, we didn´t want to push it.”
Roberts said Ohtani´s back was feeling better and added that Ohtani did some activity on Sunday. He had said his concern was “minimal” after Saturday’s game.
Ohtani, who signed a 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers last December, has been one of the best hitters in the majors this season. The two-time AL MVP leads baseball with a 1.090 OPS and is hitting .352, which ranks only behind Cleveland´s Steven Kwan (.353). Ohtani also has 11 home runs and 27 RBIs, both stats among the league leaders.
