Ohtani’s Sunday return in doubt after knee discomfort
Ohtani's return to the mound is in serious doubt after continued knee discomfort.
The update
Shohei Ohtani continued to feel discomfort in his left knee following his latest bullpen session, putting his anticipated return to the Dodgers’ starting rotation in question. Manager Dave Roberts confirmed Ohtani is “not 100%” and the team is still unsure if he’ll make his scheduled start Sunday against the Tigers.
Why it matters
Ohtani’s presence on the mound would provide a significant boost to the Dodgers’ pitching staff, especially as they approach the postseason. When healthy, he has been one of the sport’s best pitchers this season, going 8-2 with a 1.79 ERA in 14 starts.
What to watch
The Dodgers face a critical decision on whether to risk Ohtani’s health for a potential short outing or hold him back until he’s fully recovered. His offensive value remains crucial to the team’s success regardless of his pitching status. The team must weigh whether a limited appearance could aggravate his lingering knee issues and potentially impact his availability for the postseason.
Sources
- espn.com — confirming Ohtani's knee discomfort and uncertainty about his return
- Yahoo Sports — additional context on Ohtani's expected role and pitching performance