Shohei Ohtani will not take the mound Sunday against the Detroit Tigers, a huge blow after he experienced knee discomfort during a Friday bullpen session. This isn’t just a minor tweak either; Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed Saturday that Ohtani’s knee isn’t pain free, and he’s also dealing with minor biceps issues that have cropped up before.
Ohtani’s Pitching Future Is Up In The Air
This news comes after Saturday’s tough 2-1 loss, and it raises a ton of questions about Ohtani’s two-way status. Roberts stated Ohtani wouldn’t pitch against Detroit, and honestly, his next outing is totally up in the air. Remember, the guy hasn’t pitched since throwing six innings in that 4-3 win against the San Diego Padres way back on July 3! He was only expected to toss an inning or two on Sunday anyway, and Roberts summed up the struggle perfectly: “The hard part right now is trying to figure out if he’s not 100% in the overall body, is it worth giving him an inning to build him up.” Tyler Glasnow will now start Sunday’s game instead.
Hitting Through The Pain, But How Long Can It Last?
Here’s the wild part: Ohtani has been mashing at the plate despite these physical problems. He’s batting .274 with 12 homers in the 45 games since his last pitching appearance. That’s pure grit, right? The Dodgers definitely need that offense. Good thing the addition of Tarik Skubal has apparently made it easier for the team to win games even without Ohtani consistently in the rotation. Still, you gotta wonder how long he can push through both the knee and biceps issues while still being effective.
What’s next for Ohtani’s pitching arm is anyone’s guess. The Dodgers have a real puzzle on their hands trying to navigate their superstar’s health without risking something worse. Everyone will be watching for any update on when he might return to the mound.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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