The Los Angeles Dodgers are set to wrap up their series with the Seattle Mariners on Thursday evening.
It’s a rubber match between the two, as LA picked up a 4-2 win on Wednesday evening. For the series finale, the Dodgers are rolling with Emmet Sheehan as their starter, and LA will try to muster up offense against Bryan Woo.
However, the Dodgers will have to do so without their top slugger, Shohei Ohtani, as Ohtani is not featured in the Dodgers’ order on Thursday.
Per manager Dave Roberts, Shohei is not in the Dodgers’ order due to ‘left knee soreness’
Roberts said: “The soreness of the knee. Yesterday went in there for treatment, it was best to give him a day.”
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Shohei Ohtani Absent from Dodgers Lineup for Mariners Game
GettyLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JULY 29: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers singles during the third inning against the Seattle Mariners at Dodger Stadium on July 29, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
Reports will likely surface before the game begins on why Ohtani is absent from the order.
Here is the Dodgers’ full batting order for 7/30:
Dodgers 7/30: “T. Edman 2B A. Pages CF F. Freeman 1B M. Muncy 3B M. Betts SS K. Tucker RF T. Hernández DH D. Rushing C E. Hernández LF R. Sasaki SP”
T. Edman 2B A. Pages CF F. Freeman 1B M. Muncy 3B M. Betts SS K. Tucker RF T. Hernández DH D. Rushing C E. Hernández LF
R. Sasaki SP
Some notable lineup notes: Tommy Edman takes over as the leadoff man with Ohtani not in the order, and Kike Hernandez is back in the lineup for the first time since May. Kyle Tucker slides up one spot, and everything else looks pretty similar to Wednesday’s game, except, of course, the Shohei Ohtani decision.
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Is Shohei Ohtani’s Injury Reason for Day Off?
GettyNEW YORK, NEW YORK – JULY 25: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on before the game against the New York Mets at Citi Field on July 25, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
Look, Shohei Ohtani has basically been the Dodgers’ offensive savior this season (along with Freddie Freeman, Andy Pages), and due to the reports of his lingering knee injury and new biceps development, the guy deserves a break.
Also, due to LA’s commanding lead in the NL West, the Dodgers can afford to give their superstar the pine for one game.
That being said, Ohtani is still posting monster offensive numbers this season, with a .289 batting average, 23 home runs, 65 RBI, 110 hits, and an OPS+ above 150.
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Los Angeles Dodgers Announced Shohei Ohtani Lineup Decision Due to Injury