Dodgers' Ohtani Scratched From Start, Expected to Pitch This Weekend

Los Angeles Dodgers' two-way star Shohei Ohtani was scratched from his scheduled pitching start against the Pittsburgh Pirates due to feeling "under the weather," but he remained in the lineup as the leadoff hitter and designated hitter. Manager Dave Roberts indicated that Ohtani's illness seemed minor and expects him to return to pitch in the upcoming series against the Baltimore Orioles, minimizing disruption to the Dodgers' rotation. Ohtani recently completed his longest pitching outing of the season and also hit his 100th home run as a Dodger, showcasing his dual-threat abilities despite managing recovery from a UCL injury that sidelined him for all of 2024. The Dodgers have been cautious with Ohtani's workload given his unique role and injury history, prioritizing his long-term health. Additionally, the Cincinnati Reds scratched left-hander Nick Lodolo from his scheduled start due to illness amid a clubhouse bug affecting multiple players, forcing the Reds to use a bullpen game as they fight to close the playoff gap. Lodolo's illness adds to the pitching challenges faced by teams late in the season as they manage health and roster adjustments.