The Los Angeles Dodgers currently find themselves in a bit of a slump, as their 3-1 loss to the Cincinnati Reds was their fourth straight defeat. The Dodgers still hold a comfortable 5.5 game lead in the National League West, but as if this mini losing streak wasn't enough of a reason for concern, it now appears as if star slugger Shohei Ohtani is dealing with an injury.

Ohtani has been on an absolute tear for much of the start of his first campaign with the Dodgers, but he's been getting hampered as of late by a bruised hamstring. While the injury isn't serious, Los Angeles is obviously going to play it safe when it comes to doing whatever they can to keep their new star as healthy as possible throughout the course of the season.

“Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani has been playing with a bruised hamstring and has been told to take it easy on it, manager Dave Roberts said Saturday. Ohtani was injured when he was hit by a pickoff throw during the Dodgers' last homestand, Roberts said.” – ESPN

Dave Roberts weighs in on Shohei Ohtani's injury

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) reacts after a play in the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park.
Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports

Throughout the course of an 162-game season, players are going to pick up various bumps and bruises along the way, and that simply seems to be what has happened to Ohtani here. He is still putting up some massive numbers on the year (.338 BA, 13 HR, 35 RBI, 13 SB, 1.034 OPS), but the Dodgers want to have Ohtani healthy for the whole year, not just in April and May.

Ohtani has continued to play through the injury, and in fairness, it helps that he's the Dodgers everyday designated hitter, so he's not playing on it as much as he would if were in the field on defense too. Still, the team wants him to be cautious when he can be, which is a sentiment that manager Dave Roberts relayed to the media after the team's latest loss to the Reds.

“Our advice to him is just be smart with it. I think he was just going to leg out a double and the ball just didn't get in [to the infield], so he kept running. It is him just managing the hamstring.Today, it was better than yesterday. We need him in there. We just didn't want to push it.” – Dave Roberts, ESPN

Every player has to walk a fine line when it comes to pushing themselves to play through an injury. Ohtani is currently walking that line, and while it seems like he's getting better, the Dodgers still don't want to push it with him when they don't have to. So while a day of rest may be in Ohtani's future, it also wouldn't be much of a surprise to see him continue to play through this ailment for the next few days.