Shohei Ohtani skipped a bullpen session Saturday, and Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts made it clear: the two-way superstar won’t throw off a mound again until that irritated left knee feels completely 100%. “We’re just going to kick the can,” Roberts told reporters before his team faced the New York Mets. He’s not messing around, saying, “we’re not going to move forward until he feels 100% confident (and) we feel 100% confident that we should do it.” That’s the word from the top, folks.
The Big Setback For Ohtani’s Arm
This isn’t just a minor delay; Ohtani hasn’t pitched in a game since way back on July 3. He even got a lubricant injection right before the All-Star break, and Roberts had already mentioned last weekend it would be “some time” before we’d see him on the mound again. The real kicker came Wednesday when Ohtani tried a bullpen session in Philadelphia, tossing about 30 pitches. But Roberts then confirmed Ohtani felt “a little bit of regression.” That’s just crushing to hear for any fan who loves watching him pitch. Roberts didn’t mince words, saying, “It was obviously not ideal, him throwing his last bullpen and going backwards essentially.” He called it “disappointing” because you expect a pitcher to “continue to build up.” Still, the manager was quick to add, “as far as worry, concern, we don’t have any of that,” which, hey, we all hope is true.
Still Dominant At The Plate Amidst Injury Concerns
Despite the pitching woes, the good news is Ohtani’s knee hasn’t bothered him one bit while batting. The four-time MVP has stayed in the starting lineup regularly, and he’s still mashing the ball. As of Saturday, he’s rocking a .286 average with 22 homers, 61 RBIs, and an insane .920 OPS. The Dodgers themselves are absolutely cruising, boasting the best record in the majors at 66-38 and an 11-game cushion in the NL West over Arizona. They’re looking like two-time defending World Series champs for a reason. And speaking of injuries, there’s other news bubbling up. Two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell made his second rehab start Friday for Triple-A Oklahoma City, tossing 49 pitches after being sidelined since May 9 with loose bodies in his elbow. Roberts thinks Snell will push for four innings in his next outing. Star closer Edwin Diaz, who’s been out with right elbow surgery, is set for another rehab appearance Sunday for Oklahoma City and could be activated from the injured list Wednesday. Plus, Tyler Glasnow, on the 60-day IL since May 8 with low back spasms, just threw 25 pitches in a simulated inning and will do another one next week when the team returns home, possibly starting a rehab assignment after that.
For Ohtani, the wait continues until that knee is “100%.” Everyone in baseball is just holding their breath to see when this pitching phenom can return to the mound without any setbacks.
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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