Shohei Ohtani postponed a scheduled throwing session Saturday after experiencing what Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts described as a "regression" in the left knee that has dogged the two-way star.
Team cautious as Ohtani's knee flares after bullpen
Roberts said Ohtani felt discomfort after a 30-pitch bullpen session in Philadelphia on Wednesday, and the club opted not to move forward with the next planned mound session until both player and staff are wholly comfortable. Despite the delay, the Dodgers kept Ohtani in the lineup as the designated hitter for Saturday's game at the New York Mets.
Roberts expressed measured optimism about how the knee has responded to recent rest but emphasized prudence in the ramp-up back to pitching. "We are not going to move forward (with throwing off a mound) until he feels 100 percent confident and we feel 100 percent confident that we should do it," Roberts said, adding that Ohtani did not feel completely back to normal after the last bullpen.
"He just doesn't feel 100 percent. I think the last 'pen that he had, there was a little bit of regression. We want to make sure that doesn't happen again."
The decision to delay throwing follows Ohtani's 30-pitch session earlier in the week; Roberts said the idea had been for another bullpen on Saturday, but the club instead postponed that plan when the discomfort persisted. Roberts also noted he was not worried about the time off the pitcher had during the All-Star break, saying the knee had shown improvement compared with its condition before the break.
Where the two-way star stands statistically
Ohtani's season numbers underline what the Dodgers stand to lose on the mound and gain at the plate. As a pitcher he is 8-2 with a sterling 1.79 ERA across 85 2/3 innings. At the plate he has produced a .286 batting average with 22 home runs and 61 RBIs.
| Role | Stat |
|---|---|
| Pitching | 8-2, 1.79 ERA, 85 2/3 IP |
| Hitting | .286, 22 HR, 61 RBI |
Those numbers arrive with Ohtani carrying significant pedigree: he is a four-time Most Valuable Player and has helped guide the Dodgers to the past two World Series crowns. Roberts acknowledged the disappointment of potentially missing planned starts, saying it is a blow not only for the club but for Ohtani himself.
- Issue: Left knee discomfort after a 30-pitch bullpen on Wednesday
- Immediate action: Mound throwing session postponed until full confidence is regained
- Roster status: Remaining in lineup as designated hitter for Saturday's game
From a competitive standpoint, the Dodgers can still utilize Ohtani's bat and baserunning while the club monitors throwing progress. But missing mound appearances would remove a dominant starting option from a rotation that has leaned on his production in 2026. Roberts acknowledged the impact: "Not having him make these last two (pitching) starts is a bummer for everyone –- for him, especially," he said, while also praising his offensive contributions.
For now, the focus will be incremental progress and avoiding another setback. The Dodgers' medical and coaching staff will insist on clear, repeatable comfort before advancing Ohtani through live mound work. Fans and rivals alike will watch closely; when Ohtani pitches, his presence alters the outlook for a game, and his absence on the mound would be felt throughout the National League race.
As the club waits, the immediate plan is conservative: rest and reassessment. Roberts' message was straightforward — Ohtani will only resume throwing from a mound when both he and the organization are fully confident that the knee can handle it without relapse.
