Dodgers stall Ohtani’s return amid knee irritation

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed on Sunday that Shohei Ohtani will not make his scheduled start against the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday due to irritation in his left knee. The decision follows Ohtani’s report to the training staff that his knee was not progressing as expected prior to a planned bullpen session, prompting a shift from the initial plan to have him return to the mound.

Roberts indicated that the timeline for Ohtani’s return is uncertain, describing the recovery period as "some time" rather than a day-to-day issue. However, the manager expressed full expectation that the two-way star will pitch again this season, stating the club is erring on the side of caution. Ohtani has not pitched since July 3, when he started against the San Diego Padres, and received a lubricant injection into the knee on July 12.

The knee irritation is specific to the mechanics of pitching and does not affect Ohtani’s batting. Roberts clarified that the sensation arises when driving off the front knee to create torque, whereas swinging the bat involves the back knee. Consequently, Ohtani will continue to serve as the designated hitter, with no consideration given to shutting him down from hitting duties.

The adjustment has necessitated changes to the Dodgers’ immediate pitching schedule. Emmet Sheehan’s start has been moved back a day to Monday. For Sunday’s doubleheader against the New York Yankees, Yoshinobu Yamamoto is set to take the mound in the opener, with the team likely proceeding with a bullpen game in the nightcap.

While Ohtani is confirmed as the designated hitter for the opener, Roberts noted the club had not yet decided if he would be in the lineup for the second game. The pitcher, who holds a 1.79 ERA in 85 ⅔ innings this season, remains a favourite for his fifth MVP award, continuing a strong performance in his first full season on the mound since 2023.