“I Don’t Even Think Shohei Ohtani Would Be Insulted” – MLB Analyst Reacts to Major Benching Question Surrounding $700M Dodgers Superstar

Shohei Ohtani - Dodgers vs Pirates | © ImagnMLB analyst Tim Kurkjian on Tuesday weighed in on speculation that the Los Angeles Dodgers could bench Shohei Ohtani during the 2026 National League Championship Series, suggesting the superstar would understand the decision given his recent struggles.The Dodgers reportedly face a difficult decision ahead of Game 3 against the Milwaukee Brewers after falling behind 2-0 in the series. Los Angeles lost 7-4 in Game 2, with Ohtani going 0-for-4 and striking out twice. Ohtani has struggled at the plate since returning from the injured list late in the regular season.He is 3-for-20 in the postseason, with no extra-base hits and seven strikeouts. His recent slump has raised questions about whether the Dodgers should move him down the batting order or leave him out of the lineup entirely. On ESPN’s “Baseball Tonight” podcast on YouTube on Tuesday, Kurkjian discussed how Ohtani might react if the Dodgers decided to bench him.He suggested the $700-million star would not take the move personally, pointing to Ohtani’s own willingness to bat lower in the order.“Remember, Ohtani basically said, ‘You got to drop me in the order.’ Then, (Dodgers manager Dave ROBERTS) hit him fifth, and he said they had a bad game there. He said, ‘You got to hit me seventh.’ You know, and he was half joking. I don’t even think he would be insulted or offended … or surprised because he knows this isn’t even close to the Ohtani that we have seen,” Kurkjian said (Timestamp: 19:42).He added:“And again, Buster (Olney), for this guy to struggle for the first time that we’ve ever seen, that just proves again how difficult this game is to play, especially when you’re not 100% healthy.Shohei Ohtani’s 2026 campaign has apparently been affected by left knee discomfort and a right biceps injury. The issues have limited his throwing program, with the Dodgers continuing to use him as a designated hitter and keeping him off the mound.What did Shohei Ohtani say while entering the 2026 postseason?On Oct. 2, during a pregame media workout day at Dodger Stadium ahead of the NLDS, Shohei Ohtani discussed his physical condition and swing mechanics. He said he felt more comfortable with his swing but admitted that he had not identified the underlying cause of his recurring injuries.“It feels really good overall. I do feel like my swing is in a better place. It feels smooth. Just little tweaks here and there, and I’ll be ready for tomorrow. I haven’t been able to get a good grasp of the root cause of all this. I think that process is going to happen during the offseason when I’m going to have a little bit more time to be able to address it. But as of now, it’s something I’m just going to have to manage,” Ohtani said.He also emphasized his commitment to playing regularly:“Just overall, I do pride myself on playing every day. I do see it as an obligation, as a professional, to be on the field every single day.”Shohei Ohtani is expected to play in Game 3 of the NLCS against the Brewers on Wednesday in Los Angeles.Read more:“Complete Disaster in Postseason” – Fans Slam Will Smith After His ABS Challenge Decisions Come Back To Haunt Dodgers in NLCS Game 2“Shohei Ohtani Is Clearly Hurt” – Justin Verlander’s Brother Reacts After $700M Star’s Hitting Struggles Continue In NLCS Game 2College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in tennis, college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!