The ongoing knee irritation experienced by Shohei Ohtani has become a focal point of discussion among Los Angeles Dodgers broadcasters, raising questions about the team's management of his workload.
On the latest episode of the Dodgers Post podcast, baseball writers Dylan Hernandez and Jack Harris debated the level of concern warranted by Ohtani's knee issue, particularly in light of the team's recent performance and the approaching second half of the season. The discussion followed the Dodgers' series sweep at the hands of the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Hernandez noted that Ohtani's agreement to rest and skip a recent pitching start, as well as upcoming All-Star festivities, is a positive sign. Ohtani received a knee drain on Sunday and is staying in Los Angeles to focus on recovery. This decision came before his scheduled start on Friday at Dodger Stadium.
Conversely, Harris expressed that Ohtani's situation serves as a stark reminder of the delicate equilibrium the Dodgers must maintain with his dual role as both a pitcher and hitter. He advocated for a more conservative approach to Ohtani's playing time, including additional rest days between pitching assignments as the Dodgers prepare for the postseason.
Both podcast hosts acknowledged the similarities between Ohtani's current knee discomfort and the condition that led to his 2019 surgery, noting that this parallel adds a layer of concern to the situation. The conversation also touched upon the Dodgers' performance in the first half of the season and included listener feedback on past seasons.