Shohei Ohtani has been scratched from his scheduled pitching start before the All-Star break due to discomfort in his left kneecap, a site of previous surgery. The Los Angeles Dodgers star, who leads baseball in All-Star votes, revealed the issue on the night he was removed from his pitching rotation.
“It’s more in the kneecap,” Ohtani said in Japanese of the discomfort he has experienced recently. He noted that the pain is not present when he is batting, which allowed him to hit a leadoff home run in the Dodgers' loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday. However, pitching places more strain on the knee, he explained.
The affected kneecap is the same one that underwent surgery seven years ago. At that time, Ohtani had a congenital condition called bipartite patella, where the kneecap consists of two separate bones. The operation in September 2019, while with the Angels, was season-ending. The subsequent year saw a batting average of .190, his career low, and limited pitching appearances following his first Tommy John surgery.
Ohtani plans to receive treatment on his knee after the Dodgers' Sunday series finale, including draining fluid and receiving a pain-relieving injection. He indicated that while he could have pitched through the discomfort, the Dodgers' significant lead in the National League West allowed him to prioritize his health. The team held a 13 ½-game lead over the Diamondbacks after Friday's game.
Describing the knee problem as recurring, with swelling that comes and goes, Ohtani noted limitations in his ability to straighten or bend the knee. He speculated that his pitching delivery, which involves landing on his left leg, might be contributing to the flare-ups.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts stated that Ohtani's pitching schedule and workload should not be significantly impacted by this development. The decision to skip his start was made Thursday morning after a phone call with team officials and medical personnel. Ohtani expressed regret for the inconvenience caused to the pitching staff, who had to cover his start with a bullpen game, and for disappointing the fans who voted him into the All-Star Game.
With an eye on the postseason, Ohtani decided to take a precautionary approach to ensure he is ready for the team's long-term goals. He held out hope of participating in the All-Star Game until the final decision was made, weighing his knee's condition and the need for an injection against playing safely.