Dodgers rest Ohtani again, 'hopeful' IL not needed

Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani was not in the starting lineup Friday for a second straight game because of biceps and neck issues

Ohtani got the day off Thursday after appearing physically uncomfortable while striking out four times during the Dodgers' 10-inning loss to the St. Louis Cardinals a night earlier and will sit out again when the team plays its weekend series opener against the Washington Nationals.

Manager Dave Roberts texted Ohtani, who is listed as day to day, after the 8-6 loss Wednesday to let him know he would not be starting in the next day's finale. The two-way superstar responded with an emoji salute.

"He knows that it was the right decision," Roberts said.

Ohtani told the training staff that his right biceps and neck were bothering him.

Ohtani's symptoms haven't improved in recent weeks, and a potential stint on the injured list isn't off the table.

"Unlikely, but not impossible," Roberts said.

Ohtani hasn't pitched in a game since July 3 because of lingering pain in his left knee and the right biceps. At the plate, he's hitting .279 after striking out four consecutive times for the first time this season.

Before being shut down, Ohtani was 8-2 with a 1.79 ERA in 14 mound starts.

He threw a 20-pitch bullpen session last Friday but was scratched from a potential start at Detroit two days later. Roberts said that until he sees Ohtani throw another bullpen, he won't know the next step in his pitching progression.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.