Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Shohei Ohtani would stay in the lineup for Game 3 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers, according to remarks reported by Fox News and attributed to The New York Post.
The decision came with the Dodgers trailing the series 2-0. Ohtani, serving as designated hitter, had a .150 batting average in the postseason at the time of the report. He went hitless in four at-bats and struck out twice in Game 2, and had not recorded an extra-base hit or an RBI in the playoffs.
Roberts said Ohtani believed he was making progress with his swing and felt able to play despite dealing with a left knee issue and right arm ailments. The manager said he had discussed the lineup decision with Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman and general manager Brandon Gomes before deciding Ohtani should get another opportunity.
Ohtani, speaking through interpreter Will Ireton, said his symptoms should not be considered the reason for his hitting struggles and accepted responsibility for his performance in October, the report said. The source also noted that Ohtani had dealt with the injuries during the regular season and had spent time on the injured list because of his arm.
The report was published Oct. 14, 2026, ahead of Game 3 at Dodger Stadium. It does not provide the result of that game.
