Just hours after admitting Shohei Ohtani might not return to the mound this season, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts offered some even more alarming quotes about the two-way star following Ohtani's four-strikeout performance in an 8-6 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals. While a four-strikeout game as a hitter is never good, it was the way in which Ohtani racked up those whiffs that wound up being concerning. As some on X pointed out during a late-inning at-bat, Ohtani looked both stiff and late when trying to catch up to an elevated fastball. There is just no way he's healthy. pic.twitter.com/o9uz4APY8S Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) September 3, 2026After the contest which the Dodgers lost in extra innings Roberts said he was concerned about what he saw as well, per the Associated Press. "I saw the same thing that everyone saw," Roberts said after an 8-6 loss in 10 innings to the St. Louis Cardinals. "You could see the swing wasn't the swing that we're used to seeing. He's not close to optimal."Roberts said he would talk to Ohtani and the team's training staff about giving Ohtani a day off. Roberts added he didn't think a trip to the IL was necessary just yet. Despite battling a knee injury one that required an injection at the All-Star break Ohtani hasn't missed many days in the second half, opting to push through it. But that might have to change after what Roberts saw during Wednesday's contest. "I know he feels that he needs to post and be in the lineup and if he's upright he should play," Roberts said. "I respect that, but if he's feeling the way that he visibly looks, then it's really not helping anyone."On the season, Ohtani's numbers at the plate are solid. The 32-year-old has a .279/.381/.525 slash line. His slugging is down compared to the past few seasons, but that's still an excellent line. But in 41 games since the All-Star break, Ohtani is hitting .250/.333/.476. That would be a fine slash line for a normal player. For Ohtani, it represents a slump.While the Dodgers can afford to lose Ohtani as a pitcher the rest of the way, missing out on his production as a hitter would have a far bigger impact. Given the teams record and star power, the Dodgers can afford to give Ohtani the time he needs to get right. A stint on the injured list doesnt appear to be on the table yet, but the Dodgers could consider it if Ohtanis struggles continue. At this point in the season, the Dodgers focus should be on making sure the team is at its best once the playoffs roll around. If that means Ohtani needs to rest more often, the team needs to make that a priority before the biggest games of the season are here.