Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani problems can all be traced back to this singular moment

The Los Angeles Dodgers had no good reason to put Shohei Ohtani in the lineup against the New York Yankees coming out of the All-Star break. He had lubricant injected into his left knee five days prior. The Dodgers had an 11.5-game lead in the National League West. Why not rest Ohtani?

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts chose to play him, and things haven't exactly gotten better for Ohtani since then. Beyond the knee, Ohtani's still dealing with a biceps issue.

Plenty of Dodgers observers are wondering whether the club should shut down Ohtani as a pitcher for the rest of the year. Roberts has given some confusing statements about his superstar's health. What's actually going on?

The Dodgers shouldn't have forced the issue with Shohei Ohtani coming out of the All-Star break

Ohtani hasn't pitched since July 3. He was supposed to make his final start of the first half against the Arizona Diamondbacks on July 10, but cooler minds apparently prevailed within the Dodgers' brain trust (headed by Roberts), and Ohtani was scratched.

The aforementioned lubricant injection came two days later on a Sunday, and yet Roberts penciled Ohtani in as a DH for the Yankees game the following Friday — less than a week later. In the interim, Ohtani skipped the All-Star game to rest his knee.

I repeat, why was there urgency for bringing Ohtani back for the Yankees game on July 17, or even that entire series? By the way, the Yankees weren't exactly playing like a juggernaut at the time — still struggling mightily on offense without Aaron Judge in the lineup. This wasn't a game or series that had any pressing importance for the Dodgers.

Following the series, Ohtani told Roberts that he was still experiencing pain in his knee. The Dodgers skipper announced that Ohtani wouldn't make his next scheduled start on Wednesday against the Philadelphia Phillies. Roberts also revealed that Ohtani would be out of the rotation "for some time" (another vague piece of information).

The Dodgers can't seem to accept that Ohtani shouldn't pitch again this year. And since they never gave Ohtani the proper rest as both a pitcher and hitter, his offense is starting to suffer, too. Ohtani struck out four times against the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday night, grimacing and shaking his right arm after swings. Roberts acknowledged following the game that Ohtani isn't close to 100%.

The Dodgers are still first in the NL West by a comfortable margin. As Ohtani looks more and more uncomfortable at the plate, one can't help but wonder why the Dodgers felt they needed him in the lineup in a mid-July game against the Yankees.

What they need is Ohtani healthy in October, and that's looking like it might not happen. The post-All-Star break period was the perfect opportunity to give Ohtani an extended rest period, much like the Dodgers often do with their starting pitchers. For whatever reason, the Dodgers forced the issue with Ohtani, and it might've ruined his season.

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