Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani has been placed on the 15-day injured list due to right biceps inflammation, retroactive to September 8, 2026. The move comes as the team extended its winning streak to eight games, its longest of the season, while maintaining a lead in the National League West.
Right Biceps Inflammation Forces Ohtani to the 15-Day Injured List
The Los Angeles Dodgers formally placed Shohei Ohtani on the 15-day injured list due to right biceps inflammation, with the transaction announced on September 11, 2026, following a 6–2 victory over the Miami Marlins. The transaction was made retroactive to September 8, making his earliest possible return date September 23 (Japan time September 24) for a matchup against the San Diego Padres.
Manager Dave Roberts told reporters that Ohtani remained in Los Angeles to manage his recovery and adjust his physical condition. For a few days, we won’t let him swing a bat, and we’ll look at the state of things to figure out the best course of action, Roberts stated regarding the team’s approach to the recovery timeline, adding that there is no fixed idea regarding the exact number of days required for his return. The decision serves as a precautionary measure to ensure the player is fully prepared for the upcoming postseason.
This 15-day injured list placement marks Ohtani’s first IL appearance since September 2023—representing his fourth career trip to the injured list overall—and his very first since joining the Dodgers.
Undefeated Run Continues in Ohtani’s Absence
While managing the absence of their key player, the Dodgers have surged on the field. The team secured an eight-game winning streak following their win against the Marlins, marking their longest consecutive win total of the 2026 season and cutting their magic number for the division title to four as they pursue a fifth NL West crown.
Sports commentators have highlighted the nature of the streak during this eight-game run during the ongoing stretch. A sports journalist noted: Moreover, the way they are winning is good. There was only one game with a wide margin of victory, but the other seven games were all won by seizing close contests. To be sure, the opponents have mostly been lower-tier teams, but the way they smoothly add runs or pull off comebacks feels as though the ‘strong Dodgers’ have returned.
Injury Communication Under Scrutiny in US Media
At the same time, the timing and transparency of the injury have drawn attention in American sports reporting. Reports from outlets like the US sports site Sporting News highlighted questions raised by Major League Baseball observers regarding whether Ohtani had conveyed misleading information to the Dodgers regarding the severity of his physical condition. Observers pointed to recent games where physical strain appeared visible during at-bats, noting instances in late August where Ohtani shook his right hand to ease pain after fouling off pitches.
Local and sports media observers noted that players frequently continue playing through minor physical issues out of concern over losing their roster spot or playing time. However, commentators suggested that given Ohtani’s established stature and the precedent of playing through physical ailments during his time with the Los Angeles Angels, the situation brought renewed discussion regarding communication between players and club leadership.
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