Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani is expected to pitch off a mound sometime later this week, but there is no timetable for his return to the rotation.
Ohtani had been scheduled to start against the Phillies in the finale of the three-game series in Philadelphia. But left knee irritation that kept him out of last week’s All-Star Game scrapped those plans.
The four-time MVP last pitched on July 3. He received a lubricant injection in his balky knee, which does not bother him while batting.
Manager Dave Roberts said the injection, bypassing the All-Star game and skipping the scheduled start is not because the issue is worsening. Rather, that it has “not gotten better.”
“All that stuff is trying to give us the best chance to be out of the woods entirely,” Roberts said before the game against Philadelphia.
Roberts indicated Ohtani would try to throw off the mound later this week. The two-time defending World Series champion Dodgers are scheduled to visit the White House on an off day. They begin a three-game series at the New York Mets on Friday.
Asked if Ohtani could return to the rotation sometime in the near future, possibly as early as next week, Roberts said, “I don’t know. He’s got to play catch again and then we’ll see.”
Asked if Ohtani could return to the rotation sometime in the near future, possibly as early as next week, Roberts said, “I don’t know. He’s got to play catch again and then we’ll see.”
