Ohtani won't pitch for 'some time' because of left knee irritation

Shohei Ohtani, the two-time defending World Series champion and four-time MLB Most Valuable Player, will not pitch for "some time" due to lingering discomfort in his left knee, according to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The decision comes after Ohtani, who has been battling the issue for over a month, failed to feel fully recovered following a lubricant injection administered shortly before the All-Star break. His next scheduled start was postponed, and there is currently no clear timetable for his return to the mound. Ohtani, who missed the All-Star Game last Tuesday to focus on treatment and recovery, had been expected to take the mound in Philadelphia against the Phillies on Wednesday. However, the Dodgers opted not to proceed with a bullpen session or a simulated game situation, citing concerns over the stability of the injury. Manager Dave Roberts confirmed that Ohtani continues to feel discomfort during activities involving torque on the affected leg, such as pitching, but reports no pain during his role as a hitter. The decision follows a recent outing on July 3, where Ohtani threw a season-high 110 pitches over six innings in a no-decision game against the San Diego Padres. Since then, the right-handed pitcher has remained inactive, with the team prioritizing his long-term health over immediate contributions. During the weekend, Ohtani played as the designated hitter in both games of a doubleheader against the New York Yankees, batting leadoff in the opener. He recorded an RBI double and scored from second base on a single by Freddie Freeman, helping the Dodgers secure a 2-0 lead in the third inning. Roberts emphasized that the team is taking a cautious approach, aiming to ensure Ohtani returns to the mound in optimal condition. "We just want to continue to give it the best chance to kind of get in a good spot," the manager stated. "As he said, as we feel, it’s the pitching and the torque on landing on that leg. That kind of gets it upset. So I think that hitting doesn’t do that. So I think that for us, we’re trying to give it as much time as possible." The Dodgers, currently holding the best record in Major League Baseball at 62-36, remain confident in their ability to manage the rotation without Ohtani. The team has already adjusted its plans, moving Emmet Sheehan to start during the Yankees series, with his next scheduled appearance delayed until Monday night in Philadelphia. Meanwhile, left-hander Blake Snell, who has been sidelined since his season debut on May 9 due to issues in his left elbow, is progressing through a rehabilitation process. Snell recently threw 32 pitches in 1 1/3 innings during a rehab start for Triple-A Oklahoma City and is expected to build up to five innings and 75 pitches in the minors before returning to the major league rotation. Roberts noted that the team has maintained flexibility in scheduling, with several days off planned in the coming weeks. "I think that once we moved Emmet, the rotation can keep going forward without Shohei for the time being," he said. "I can’t speak for how long that’s going to be." The manager also highlighted the importance of listening to the medical staff and ensuring Ohtani is fully prepared before resuming his pitching duties. "He was on the schedule when we broke for the All-Star break and then it was more of the training staff talking to him about, `Hey, coming out of the break, how does Wednesday look? How do you feel? If you don’t feel 100%, we have the opportunity to kick the can,'” Roberts added. "I think it’s more driven by the organization saying, hey, if you’re not 100% right, we don’t have to do this."