The Japanese pitcher had to be removed from the starting lineup at the last minute

The MLB champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers, cannot find the regularity needed to inspire confidence in their fans. One weekend they manage a spectacular sweep, and in the week they lose the series against the worst teams of 2025, such as the Colorado Rockies and now against the Pittsburgh Pirates. A few months ago, they were given the benefit of the doubt for the injuries suffered by Dave Roberts’ squad. However, on this occasion it was not this ghost that threw the Californian team off balance.

It has been mentioned that during their visit to the city of Pittsburgh, some Dodgers players have been dealing with a wave of illnesses, and the latest to suffer from it has been none other than Shohei Ohtani. The pitcher and star player of the Los Angeles fans, had to be withdrawn from the starting lineup due to the discomfort that has plagued him in recent days. According to manager Dave Roberts, Ohtani has been having cold problems, which has led the team to take precautions, according to a report in the Los Angeles Times.

How long will Shohei Ohtani be out of action?

In this situation, Shohei Ohtani did not participate in the game on Wednesday, September 3, so his place was taken by Emmet Sheehan, who did not have a brilliant outing and was the losing pitcher in Pittsburgh’s 3-0 victory where he allowed two runs and five hits with six strikeouts and two walks in 4.2 innings. After the game, Dave Roberts spoke about the Japanese pitcher’s situation. “When you’re sick and potentially dehydrated, the effort to pitch in a game is not worth it,” he said

The Los Angeles Dodgers manager also indicated that at some point this weekend against the Baltimore Orioles, Shohei Ohtani will be able to play again, as he was presented with a severe cough and that is why he will not be in the last game against the Pirates. This decision is intended to give the player a few more days to fully recover. Despite his discomfort, Ohtani showed no signs of weakness at the plate on Tuesday, when he hit two doubles and a home run with an exit velocity of 120 mph, the highest of his career.

Shohei Ohtani rockets a home run out at 120 MPH 😳 pic.twitter.com/EFxw2IPbUE

— MLB (@MLB) September 2, 2025

Which other players have fallen ill at the Los Angeles Dodgers?

It is worth noting that Ohtani’s home run last Tuesday represented the 46th of the season and the 100th since he donned the Dodgers uniform. However, Roberts explained that the risk of overloading the reigning National League MVP with a full start was not worth it. “The effort to take four or five at-bats versus pitching five innings, there’s no comparison,” Roberts said.

Max Muncy also had breathing problems and last week he presented slightly more severe symptoms so the managers decided to send him home to rest, delaying the start of his minor league rehabilitation assignment until this week. “We’re trying to manage it. But there are players who just don’t feel well right now,” Roberts said. The situation has forced the Los Angeles Dodgers to be cautious and adjust their strategies to keep their players in the best possible shape.