Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed Friday that star two-way player Shohei Ohtani underwent a knee lubricant injection, though no fluid removal was performed on his left knee. Ohtani appeared in Friday’s second-half season opener as the designated hitter batting leadoff against the New York Yankees.
The procedure took place following Sunday’s contest with Arizona, Roberts said. Ohtani’s most recent pitching appearance came on July 3, and he is not expected to take the mound this weekend. His anticipated return to the pitcher’s mound is scheduled for Wednesday’s matchup in Philadelphia.
“It gives him some relief in his knee, which we were hoping to get, and then the four days off from activity, which gets it all to kind of settle in,” Roberts explained. The manager added that the team remains prepared to reduce Ohtani’s workload if necessary, though the player himself remains eager for maximum playing time.
Ohtani, a four-time MVP, is posting a .293 batting average with 22 home runs and 58 runs batted in. On the mound, he carries an 8-2 record with a 1.79 earned run average and 95 strikeouts across 85 2/3 innings through 14 starts. He sat out Tuesday’s All-Star Game.
Roberts indicated plans to grant Ohtani rest days following his pitching starts whenever the schedule permits. Over the coming days, Ohtani will test the knee by throwing off a mound, Roberts noted.
More Stories
Trump says these documents prove his false claims of election fraud. Here’s what they really say
Broward firefighters: House fire likely started in parked car in garage in Weston
US and Iran escalate strikes across Mideast; bridges and a water plant hit