Los Angeles Dodgers' star Shohei Ohtani was absent from the starting lineup in Sunday's game against the San Diego Padres due to back tightness. The decision to rest Ohtani was described as a precautionary measure by Dodgers' manager Dave Roberts.
Ohtani's back issues arose during Saturday night's game against the Padres, prompting his early exit after the fourth at-bat. Despite going 0 for 3 with a walk in the game, Ohtani's back tightened up, leading to his replacement by pinch-hitter Kiké Hernández in the ninth inning.
Roberts provided an update on Ohtani's condition, stating that the player's back was feeling better and that he engaged in some activity on Sunday. The manager expressed minimal concern regarding Ohtani's injury following Saturday's game.
Ohtani, who signed a lucrative contract with the Dodgers last December, has been a standout performer this season. Leading baseball with a 1.090 OPS and boasting a .352 batting average, Ohtani's offensive prowess has been a key factor for the team. With 11 home runs and 27 RBIs, Ohtani's stats rank among the league leaders.
This marks only the second time this season that Ohtani was not included in the Dodgers' starting lineup. The first instance was on May 1 against the Arizona Diamondbacks, following a game where he struck out three times.
Since his day of rest, Ohtani has been on a tear, batting an impressive .429 with four home runs and eight RBIs in eight games. His outstanding performance earned him the title of National League Player of the Week on Monday.
Ohtani has been primarily serving as a designated hitter as he continues to recover from his second Tommy John surgery.
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