Dodgers Explain Decision to Hold Shohei Ohtani in Late-Inning Loss to Diamondbacks

The Los Angeles Dodgers were left to reflect on a narrow and frustrating defeat Thursday night after falling 3-2 to the Arizona Diamondbacks. The loss came in walk-off fashion, with Ketel Marte delivering a game-ending home run in the bottom of the ninth to secure the series for Arizona.

For the Dodgers, the result carried a sense of missed opportunity, particularly given how the final inning unfolded. Los Angeles had a chance to take control in the top of the ninth after Will Smith sparked momentum with a two-out double that briefly put the go-ahead run within reach.

That opportunity ultimately fell to Santiago Espinal, who entered the game as a replacement for Max Muncy and stepped into a high-pressure at-bat. However, Espinal struck out, leaving the Dodgers empty-handed and setting the stage for Arizona’s dramatic finish.

After the game, attention quickly turned to a key managerial decision: whether Shohei Ohtani should have been used as a pinch-hitter in that decisive moment. Manager Dave Roberts later addressed the choice, offering context on why Los Angeles opted against it.

1. Dodgers Weigh Risk and Matchup Scenarios

Roberts explained that Ohtani was available to hit in what the team considered the “right situation,” but the circumstances in the ninth inning did not align with their preferred approach. The Dodgers carefully evaluated how Arizona might respond if Ohtani stepped into the box. One major concern, according to Roberts, was the likelihood that the Diamondbacks would intentionally walk Ohtani in a critical spot. That strategy would have shifted the pressure onto Alex Call instead, potentially neutralizing Los Angeles’ most dangerous offensive threat in the inning. With two runners on base, the Dodgers also considered the broader tactical implications. An intentional walk would have loaded the bases and forced a different matchup scenario, one that did not guarantee a favorable outcome for Los Angeles. The decision reflected the team’s attempt to balance aggression with situational awareness, especially in a late-game moment where one misstep could have ended the contest prematurely.

2. Roster Constraints Shape Late-Game Strategy

Another factor in the decision-making process was roster availability. Roberts noted that the Dodgers had already used their remaining defensive substitutions earlier in the game, limiting flexibility if the contest extended into extra innings. Players such as Santiago Espinal, Alex Call, and Miguel Rojas had already been deployed in key defensive and offensive situations. That left Los Angeles without additional options to adjust the lineup defensively if Ohtani had been inserted as a pinch-hitter. Had Ohtani been used and the game extended, the Dodgers would have faced the challenge of keeping him in the field despite his recent pitching workload. Given his importance to both the lineup and pitching staff, that was a significant consideration. Ultimately, the roster constraints reinforced the cautious approach, as the Dodgers weighed short-term aggression against potential complications in extra innings.

3. Long-Term Health and Season Perspective

Beyond the immediate game situation, the Dodgers continue to take a measured approach with Ohtani’s usage. The two-way star remains one of the most valuable players in baseball, and his workload is managed carefully across both pitching and hitting duties. Ohtani had been given the day off from pitching duties following a six-inning shutout performance earlier in the week. That outing further highlighted his dual-role importance and the need to preserve his long-term availability. The organization has consistently emphasized a broader season outlook, prioritizing health and sustainability over isolated high-risk decisions. That philosophy has shaped late-game choices in tightly contested situations like Thursday’s loss. While the defeat was a disappointing result in the short term, the Dodgers remain focused on maintaining their long-term competitive position. For the club, preserving Ohtani’s health continues to outweigh the urgency of any single regular-season game.