Dave Roberts has Dodgers fans even more worried with comment about Shohei Ohtani

The Los Angeles Dodgers have spent weeks trying to manage Shohei Ohtani ’ s health without taking one of baseball’s most dangerous hitters out of the lineup. After another frustrating loss to the St. Louis Cardinals , Dave Roberts admitted that approach may have reached its limit.

Ohtani again looked uncomfortable during Wednesday’s 8-6 extra-inning defeat, which followed a 13-8 loss the night before. Roberts said he noticed the 32-year-old shaking his arm and wincing, while his swing appeared compromised during a night in which he struck out four times.

That was enough for the Dodgers manager to publicly question whether Ohtani ’s determination to stay available is still benefiting the team.

“He definitely doesn’t want to take the day,” Roberts told the press. “I think I know he feels that he needs to post and be in the lineup. And if he’s upright, he should play. I respect that. But if he’s, you know, feeling the way that visibly looks, then really not helping anyone.”

Roberts said he plans to speak directly with Ohtani before discussing the situation with the medical staff, with any decision on his availability dependent on how the superstar is actually feeling.

Ohtani’s body takes beating during Cardinals series

The latest concerns come after a difficult two-game stretch physically.

In the series opener, Ohtani made a hard slide back into third base after a late stop sign from third-base coach Dino Ebel . He remained on the ground briefly and appeared to be dealing with discomfort in his knee.

Later in the game, he was hit by a pitch and immediately dropped his bat in pain. Roberts said afterward that Ohtani was healthy enough to continue, but Wednesday did little to ease the concern.

Ohtani reached base with a walk, scored and stole a base early, but finished with four strikeouts. He also struck out in the 10th inning as Los Angeles tried to answer after St. Louis took control against reliever Brock Stewart .

The slump is becoming difficult to ignore. Ohtani is batting .130 over his last 12 games despite still carrying an impressive overall line of .279/.381/.525 with 30 home runs and 80 RBIs.

Dodgers have to make a choice

Ohtani ’s offensive struggles are particularly significant because he is already unavailable as a pitcher. He hasn't taken the mound since July 3 due to left knee inflammation and a right biceps issue.

Roberts said before Wednesday’s game that shutting Ohtani down as a pitcher for the rest of the season is “an option,” though he added the Dodgers are not there “quite yet.”

Before the injuries, Ohtani had been outstanding on the mound, posting a 1.79 ERA with 95 strikeouts in 85 2/3 innings across 14 starts.

The Dodgers ’ team situation only adds urgency. Los Angeles has lost six of its last eight games and sits at 82-57, leaving it third in the National League playoff picture and a half-game behind Atlanta for the No.2 seed.

Ohtani ’s instinct is clearly to keep playing. Roberts now has to decide whether protecting him from himself could be more valuable than simply writing his name into the lineup every day.