Overview
- Manager Dave Roberts said Tuesday that Ohtani is not healthy enough to take the mound and is not expected to start for at least a week while the club evaluates his throwing progress.
- Ohtani has not pitched in a game since July 3 because of left-knee inflammation and right-biceps discomfort, and his recent ramp-up produced soreness after an Aug. 22 live session and a shortened ~20-pitch bullpen on Aug. 28.
- The Dodgers will keep Ohtani in the lineup as their everyday designated hitter, and he remained in Tuesday's game despite a hard slide that appeared to tweak his knee and being hit by a pitch on his right elbow.
- President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said the team will continue a read-and-react pitching progression with Ohtani and still hopes he can contribute on the mound in a limited postseason role, but there is no firm timeline.
- The club has used treatments such as an Orthovisc injection and is prioritizing Ohtani's long-term offensive value, a stance that leaves limited time this season to build meaningful innings if a playoff pitching role is to materialize.