The Los Angeles Dodgers are facing a significant challenge to their championship hopes as star player Shohei Ohtani's left knee discomfort has escalated beyond a precautionary measure, potentially impacting his pitching for the remainder of the season. Manager Dave Roberts stated that Ohtani will not be able to pitch for "some time," indicating the issue is week-to-week rather than day-to-day.
Roberts expressed confidence that Ohtani would pitch again this season, but uncertainty remains regarding his effectiveness on the mound, especially in October. The manager also acknowledged the possibility, however slight, that the knee issue could eventually affect Ohtani's performance at the plate. This development is particularly alarming given Ohtani's crucial role for the Dodgers.
Prior to this announcement, Ohtani had skipped a turn in the pitching rotation and did not participate in the All-Star Game. His knee received a lubricant injection following the Dodgers' final game before the All-Star break. The decision to halt his pitching activities was made after he experienced discomfort while playing catch, leading him and the training staff to conclude that a bullpen session was unnecessary.
While Roberts characterized the team's approach as "erring on the side of caution," he could not provide a timeline for Ohtani's return to pitching. He did, however, dismiss the possibility of Ohtani not pitching again this season. The team aims to find a balance between allowing Ohtani enough pitching repetitions to prepare for the postseason without risking further injury.
The Dodgers' need for Ohtani on the mound is underscored by the current state of their pitching staff. Blake Snell has begun a minor-league rehabilitation assignment, and Tyler Glasnow has not yet resumed pitching to hitters. The team's potential pursuit of other starting pitchers before the Aug. 3 trade deadline does not diminish their reliance on Ohtani's contributions from the mound.
Concerns also extend to Ohtani's hitting. Roberts noted that the discomfort Ohtani experiences while pitching affects his landing knee, while his hitting involves the back knee. Despite these concerns, Ohtani has continued to perform as a designated hitter. In a recent game against the Yankees, he hit a double and drove in another run. However, during that same game, he appeared to grab his ailing knee after fouling off a pitch, subsequently jogging gingerly back to the dugout.
Ohtani had previously revealed that the discomfort was located in his kneecap, the same one that required surgery seven years ago. During the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, he batted a career-low .190 while playing with a weakened left knee. The Dodgers and their fans will be closely monitoring Ohtani's condition in the coming weeks, hoping for the best while preparing for potential setbacks.