Ohtani has ‘great conversation’ with Roberts, will be in Dodgers’ Game 3 lineup

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed on Tuesday that Shohei Ohtani will be in the lineup for Game 3 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday. Despite the Dodgers trailing the series 2-0, Roberts stated he had a positive discussion with Ohtani, noting the slugger is excited and ready to play.

The decision comes after the Dodgers evaluated Ohtani's lingering physical issues following a 7-4 Game 2 loss on Monday, where he went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts. Ohtani has struggled at the plate, collecting only three hits in 20 postseason at-bats and slashing .156/.283/.200 over the past eight weeks, but teammates like Mookie Betts expressed full support.