The Los Angeles Dodgers are beginning to find their rhythm again after a cold streak, which they snapped with last weekend’s series sweep of the San Diego Padres. While Shohei Ohtani has been dealing with some off-field issues, he hasn’t allowed them to affect his performance on the field.
“A Hawaii real estate investor and broker are suing Shohei Ohtani, claiming the Los Angeles Dodgers star and his agent got them fired from a $240 million luxury housing development on the Big Island’s coveted Hapuna Coast that they brought him in to endorse,” The Associated Press’s Jimmy Golen wrote. “According to the lawsuit filed in Hawaii Circuit Court on Friday, Ohtani’s agent, Nez Balelo, increasingly demanded concessions from developer Kevin J. Hayes Sr. and real estate broker Tomoko Matsumoto before demanding that their business partner, Kingsbarn Realty Capital, drop them from the deal.”
On the mound, Ohtani has been steadily regaining his form and is once again establishing himself as a dominant presence in the pitching rotation.
“Ohtani has established himself as the Dodgers' best hitter and has quickly become one of their best pitchers, but the convergence of those skills has come at a time of competing interests,” ESPN’s Aidan Gonzalez wrote.
The Dodgers are currently in a series against the Colorado Rockies, which is tied 1-1 with two games remaining. Ohtani is scheduled to start on the mound Wednesday, though that appearance will come with a planned day of rest.
“Dodgers Dave Roberts said he spoke with Shohei Ohtani and he will get Thursday off. Day game after pitching Wednesday night. Ohtani's only previous games missed this season were two he skipped on paternity leave in April,” Dodgers beat writer Bill Plunkett wrote.
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Ohtani rarely misses games, but this decision is a smart one. With the postseason approaching, it's crucial for the Dodgers to manage his workload carefully and keep him healthy for October. Resting him Thursday allows Ohtani to give his all on the mound Wednesday without holding back.