Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani was not in the starting lineup Friday for a second night in a row due to continued issues with his right biceps and left knee.
Tommy Edman is in the leadoff spot and Alex Call is the designated hitter against the visiting Washington Nationals, and it remains unclear whether Ohtani is available.
Ohtani went 0-for-4 with four strikeouts in Wednesday’s loss to the St. Louis Cardinals before sitting out Thursday.
Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts has termed Ohtani as day to day.
Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes doesn’t feel Ohtani needs a stint on the 10-day injured list.
“I think not having Shohei in the lineup for 10 days or whatever it would be is something that we would prefer not to do,” Gomes told reporters. “It really hasn’t even been something that we’ve discussed.”
Ohtani, 32, is 2-for-23 with 11 strikeouts in his last six games. He is batting .279 with 30 home runs and 80 RBIs in 133 games this season. His last homer was on Aug. 18.
Ohtani was among the National League Cy Young Award contenders in the first half of the season after going 8-2 with a 1.79 ERA in 14 starts while pitching in a six-man rotation.
Los Angeles first baseman Freddie Freeman isn’t in the starting lineup Friday, either. He is getting a night off.
