The Los Angeles Dodgers have decided to temporarily pause Shohei Ohtani’s pitching schedule after lingering soreness in his left knee continued to be an issue, prioritizing the two-way superstar’s long-term health as the club prepares for another postseason run.
Manager Dave Roberts confirmed on Sunday that Ohtani will not start Wednesday’s game against the Philadelphia Phillies, reversing the team’s earlier expectation that he would return to the mound this week. Instead, the Dodgers will give the reigning superstar additional time to recover before determining when he will pitch again.
Roberts emphasized that Ohtani’s absence from the pitching rotation is not expected to be a short-term, day-to-day situation. While the Dodgers remain confident that he will resume pitching later this season, they have no intention of rushing him back before his knee has fully healed.
“It’s going to be some time,” Roberts said, noting that the organization wants to eliminate the lingering discomfort before allowing Ohtani to return to his dual-role responsibilities.
Ohtani Continues to Hit Despite Pitching Setback
Although his pitching plans have been postponed, Ohtani remains healthy enough to continue serving as the Dodgers’ designated hitter. He stayed in his familiar leadoff role during Sunday’s opening game of the doubleheader against the New York Yankees, showing that the knee issue has not significantly affected his offensive production.
The Dodgers have carefully monitored Ohtani’s workload throughout the season, ensuring that he remains available as one of baseball’s most dangerous hitters even while recovering from the knee irritation.
Knee Problem Has Persisted Since June
The soreness dates back to June 11, when Ohtani first experienced discomfort during a game in Pittsburgh. Rather than immediately shutting him down, the Japanese superstar continued playing through the pain for several weeks as the Dodgers navigated the first half of the season.
However, the issue became serious enough that the team scratched him from his final scheduled pitching appearance before the All-Star break. During the break, Ohtani received an Orthovisc lubricating injection in his left knee in hopes of reducing inflammation and accelerating the healing process.
The treatment forced him to skip the All-Star Game, with the Dodgers hoping the extended rest would allow him to return fully healthy for the second half. While there has been improvement, the organization has determined that the knee still requires additional recovery time before he resumes pitching.
Dodgers Adjust Rotation Plans
With Ohtani unavailable, the Dodgers have adjusted their pitching plans for the upcoming series against Philadelphia.
Right-hander Emmet Sheehan, who had originally been scheduled to pitch later in the weekend, will instead take the mound in Monday’s series opener against the Phillies. The club is also expected to rely on a bullpen game during the second contest of Sunday’s doubleheader as it reshuffles its rotation.
The changes reflect the Dodgers’ willingness to remain flexible while protecting one of the franchise’s most valuable players.
Team Focused on Long-Term Health
Earlier this season, Los Angeles had already taken a cautious approach to Ohtani’s workload during his first full campaign as both a pitcher and hitter since 2023. In several early-season starts, the Dodgers even kept him out of the batting lineup on days he pitched to reduce physical strain.
As the season progressed and his endurance improved, Ohtani gradually resumed his complete two-way role, regularly contributing both on the mound and at the plate by the end of May.
The Dodgers have also strategically aligned many of his pitching appearances before scheduled off-days, allowing him extra recovery time afterward. Roberts acknowledged that when the schedule does not naturally provide those recovery windows, the team is willing to give Ohtani additional rest days if necessary.
World Series Aspirations Drive Cautious Approach
Despite the temporary setback, Ohtani has remained one of the most impactful players in Major League Baseball this season, delivering elite production both offensively and on the mound whenever healthy.
With the Dodgers owning the best record in the majors and maintaining a comfortable double-digit lead atop the National League West, the organization believes it can afford to prioritize Ohtani’s health rather than risking further aggravation of the injury.
The club’s ultimate objective remains ensuring that its biggest star is fully healthy for the stretch run and another deep postseason campaign. By delaying his return now, the Dodgers hope Ohtani will be able to contribute at full strength when the games matter most later this season.
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