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Shohei Ohtani (32), the superstar of Major League Baseball (MLB), was dropped to the No. 6 spot as designated hitter for his team, the Los Angeles Dodgers, amid a severe batting slump. / AP, Yonhap

Shohei Ohtani (32), the superstar of Major League Baseball (MLB), was dropped to the No. 6 spot as designated hitter for his team, the Los Angeles Dodgers, amid a severe batting slump.

Announcing its starting lineup for Game 3 of the National League Championship Series (NLCS, best-of-seven) against the Milwaukee Brewers held at Dodger Stadium in California on the 14th local time, the Dodgers slotted Ohtani into the batting order as the No. 6 designated hitter.

For Ohtani, who served as a fixture in the leadoff spot throughout the regular season, starting in the lower half of the lineup at No. 6 marks the first time in six years since 2020, when he was with the Los Angeles Angels.

Reportedly hampered by injuries to his right bicep and left knee, Ohtani has hit just .197 over his last 35 games across the regular season and postseason. In particular, he has gone homerless in 110 plate appearances since an August 19 contest against the Colorado Rockies, marking the longest home run drought of his career. In the postseason as well, he has managed just three hits in 20 at-bats for a .150 batting average.

Regarding the lineup adjustment, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts stated on the day that it was "a decision to balance the entire lineup," adding that "Ohtani also agreed with this decision."

During a meeting with Roberts the previous day, Ohtani reportedly expressed his resolve to play, stating he wants to "take the field and contribute to the team."

Meanwhile, the Dodgers find themselves on the brink of elimination after dropping both Games 1 and 2 of the NLCS to Milwaukee.

                                                                                                           Cho Seong-jun