Dodgers may bench Shohei Ohtani for Game 3 of NLCS against Brewers The Los Angeles Dodgers are considering sitting Shohei Ohtani for Game 3 of the NLCS if he is not healthy, with top prospect Josue De Paula likely to replace him at designated hitter. The Los Angeles Dodgers are contemplating benching four-time MVP Shohei Ohtani for Game 3 of the National League Championship Series if the team deems that he is not healthy, multiple media outlets reported. A decision on his status for Game 3 is expected after further conversation Tuesday. The Dodgers trail 2-0 in the best-of-seven series after a 7-4 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 2 on Monday. Game 3 is Wednesday in Los Angeles. Ohtani struggled at the plate in Game 2, going 0-for-4 with two strikeouts.Ohtani Struggles in Postseason PerformanceHe is 3-for-20 with no extra-base hits and seven strikeouts in the postseason. Yeah I mean obviously it has not been good, Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts said of Ohtani's playoff performance. Ohtani, 32, has been nursing left knee and right biceps injuries since at least June. He does not feel great, Roberts said.I think for me, it is having a conversation with him Tuesday, kind of try to figure out what is best for him, what is best for us, Roberts said. He certainly has earned that conversation and deserves it. Continued biceps soreness landed Ohtani on the injured list late in the regular season. He has not hit a home run since Aug. 18, a run of 24 games since he last went deep, including six games during the playoffs.Josue De Paula Likely to Replace OhtaniOhtani batted .275 with an .889 OPS, 30 home runs and 81 RBIs this season but has been bothered by right biceps and left knee discomfort during the second half of the season. Top prospect Josue De Paula likely would start in the designated hitter position should Ohtani sit out in Game 3. Ohtani was slotted in the No. 2 spot in the first two games of the NL Division Series versus the Atlanta Braves.He then dropped to fifth for Game 3 last Tuesday at Atlanta before batting in the cleanup spot for Game 4 of that series. It was the first time Ohtani batted lower than second since joining the Dodgers in 2024. The Dodgers are weighing Ohtani's health and production as they try to climb back into the series against Milwaukee. Ohtani was seen walking to the dugout after striking out during the first inning of Game 2 on Monday in Milwaukee.