Shohei Ohtani Knee Discomfort Puts Sunday Return in Doubt After 20-Pitch Session

Shohei Ohtani remains sidelined from the mound with left knee irritation and a lingering right biceps issue, casting doubt on his scheduled Sunday start.

Shohei Ohtani is currently not at 100% health as the Los Angeles Dodgers evaluate his availability for a scheduled return to the starting rotation this Sunday against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. During a Friday bullpen session, Ohtani threw only 20 pitches, a total that was 10 to 15 throws fewer than his standard routine between starts. This shortened workout followed a simulated game seven days ago where he threw 30 pitches, which had initially put him on track to rejoin the rotation during the team’s road trip through Atlanta.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed on Saturday that Ohtani continues to experience discomfort in his left knee, an ailment that has prevented him from pitching in a major league game since July 3. In addition to the knee irritation, Ohtani is dealing with a right biceps issue that first appeared several weeks ago and general soreness throughout his body. Despite these physical setbacks, Ohtani was highly productive on the mound earlier this season, posting an 8-2 record with a 1.79 ERA across 14 starts. Through his first three months of play, he recorded 95 strikeouts and 26 walks over 85⅔ innings.

Pitching Return vs. Offensive Value

If the Dodgers proceed with Ohtani as the starter for the series finale on Sunday, he would be limited to pitching only the first inning. This strategy would allow him to utilize an extra roster spot to effectively complete a rehabilitation assignment in a major league setting, similar to his return process following a second elbow surgery last summer. Tyler Glasnow is scheduled to pitch the majority of the innings behind Ohtani in this scenario. However, if Ohtani is determined unable to start, Glasnow will take the mound as the traditional starter for the finale against Detroit.

Roberts emphasized that Ohtani’s offensive contributions at the top of the lineup remain the priority. The manager stated that the team cannot compromise his hitting for the sake of his pitching, noting that if throwing cuts into his offensive production, it is "not worth the squeeze." The Dodgers currently have a postseason rotation consisting of Tarik Skubal, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell, and Tyler Glasnow, which lessens the immediate pressure for Ohtani to return to the mound at full capacity.

Long-term Outlook for the Regular Season

Starting this Sunday would have provided Ohtani with five turns through the rotation before the conclusion of the regular season. This timeline was designed to help him build up his stamina to function as a traditional starting pitcher by October. Roberts admitted that even with five starts, expecting Ohtani to reach a five-inning workload would be aggressive for any player. The manager does not anticipate the left knee reaching 100% health at any point during the remainder of the season, though he noted that many pitchers remain viable while playing through less than perfect health.

Decision Factors for the Dodgers

The coaching staff is currently weighing whether it is beneficial to give Ohtani more time to recover his "overall body" health or to continue his build-up on the mound. While his presence as a two-way player provides the Dodgers with the flexibility of an extra pitcher, the uncertainty surrounding his knee and biceps remains the primary hurdle. The decision for Sunday’s series finale rests on how Ohtani’s body responds following the discomfort felt after his latest 20-pitch mound session on Friday.