Overview
- Ohtani threw about 30 pitches in a bullpen session on Wednesday that Dodgers coaches described as encouraging and similar to a normal between-starts side session.
- The left knee irritation was treated with an Orthovisc lubricant injection during the All‑Star break and has kept Ohtani out of the rotation while he continues to hit as the designated hitter.
- Manager Dave Roberts and pitching coach Mark Prior said there is no set timetable for Ohtani to resume pitching and that he will not start on the mound this weekend.
- Ohtani entered the break with elite numbers—about 14 starts, an 8‑2 record and a 1.79 ERA across roughly 85.2 innings—which helped make him an early Cy Young contender before availability concerns led to his omission from a recent MLB.com poll.
- Coaches and broadcasters say the knee has affected his landing leg and delivery, so the team is adjusting mechanics and pacing his workload to reduce short‑term risk and preserve his two‑way role for the postseason.