Shohei Ohtani was set to throw a bullpen Saturday, right? Well, scratch that. That session got pushed back, and the reason? It’s a total gut punch: a “regression” in his knee. This isn’t just about some minor soreness fading away; this is a real, undeniable step backward for the two-way superstar. What does that even mean for his return to the mound?
The Setback Nobody Wanted to Hear About
Dave Roberts, the Dodgers manager, laid it out: the delay happened because Ohtani’s knee took a hit after his earlier bullpen this week. Roberts didn’t sugarcoat it, admitting this sudden step back in recovery was “not ideal.” Not ideal? That’s a huge understatement when you’re talking about a player of Ohtani’s caliber trying to get back to pitching. We heard before the All-Star break that his knee wasn’t drained, which sounded like good news, but then he did get a “lubricant injection.” That seemed like a hopeful sign, but now? Roberts also confirmed it’s going to “take some time” for him to return, and this isn’t some “day-to-day thing.” He last pitched way back on July 3, and honestly, right now, there’s zero timetable for him to step on the mound again. That’s a tough pill to swallow for anyone hoping to see him pitching soon, isn’t it?
Still a Monster at the Plate, But His Arm Is the Big Question
Think about this: before this soreness and minor injury started acting up, Ohtani was an absolute beast on the hill. He made 14 starts, putting up a ridiculous 1.79 ERA, and was just mowing down batters, striking out 95 guys across 85.2 innings. That’s legit Cy Young caliber stuff, period. And even with his pitching arm out of commission, the guy is still a complete nightmare for opposing pitchers as Los Angeles’ primary designated hitter. He’s slashing an insane .286/.392/.527, hammered 22 home runs, and driven in 62 RBI through 95 games this season. Seriously, even without throwing a single pitch, he’s still an MVP-caliber bat in any lineup. The crazy part? The Dodgers, packed with talent and depth, are still somehow cruising. They’ve piled up an incredible 66 wins against just 38 losses as of July 25, giving them the best record in all of baseball. So while Ohtani’s pitching absence is a definite blow, their loaded lineup and rotation have absorbed it, barely missing a beat. How do they do it?
So, yeah, Dave Roberts still “fully expects” Ohtani to pitch again at some point this season. But after hearing about that “regression,” that confidence feels a little shaky, doesn’t it? The biggest question for the Dodgers, and for baseball fans everywhere who love watching this dude pitch, is just *when* we’ll actually see the two-way phenom back on the mound. Until then, we’re all just waiting on pins and needles, hoping that “some time” isn’t forever from now.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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