Shohei Ohtani will not make his previously scheduled pitching start on Wednesday as the Los Angeles Dodgers continue to manage discomfort in his left knee. Manager Dave Roberts announced Sunday that Ohtani, who has been experiencing knee issues since mid-June, felt continued discomfort during catch play over the weekend.
Roberts stated that the team is uncertain when Ohtani will return to the mound but indicated it would be "some time" before he pitches again. Ohtani will continue to serve as the designated hitter in the Dodgers' lineup. The team is prioritizing the healing of his knee, noting that the "torque of landing on that leg" during pitching motions exacerbates the issue.
Ohtani's last pitching start for the Dodgers was on July 3. His start before the All-Star break was also scratched, leading him to skip All-Star festivities for a lubricant injection in his knee. While the treatment was intended to allow him to resume pitching duties in the second half of the season, his current status remains uncertain.
Despite the delay, Roberts downplayed broader concerns about Ohtani's knee, expressing full confidence that the four-time MVP will pitch again this year. He described the current break from pitching as a precautionary measure, given the Dodgers' strong position in the standings. Roberts suggested that while Ohtani could potentially pitch, the current benefits do not outweigh the risks, and there is still ample time to get him to a suitable point to pitch again.