Full Breakdown
Shohei Ohtani’s Knee Irritation Forces Dodgers to Pause His Pitching Duties
7/20/2026, 8:40:11 AM
Core Event
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts announced on Sunday that two-way star Shohei Ohtani will not make his scheduled start against the Philadelphia Phillies on July 22 because of lingering irritation in his left knee. The team has placed Ohtani’s pitching role on hold “for some time,” describing the situation as “not a day-to-day thing.” He remains in the lineup as the designated hitter.
Background & Context
The knee problem first flared during a June 11 game in Pittsburgh and persisted through mid-July. Ohtani received a lubricating Orthovisc injection on July 12, the Sunday before the All-Star break, but did not travel to Philadelphia for the All-Star Game. He last pitched on July 3, delivering a six-inning, three-run effort against the San Diego Padres. After a brief bullpen session was cancelled when Ohtani reported discomfort while playing catch, the Dodgers opted to give the knee additional rest.
Data & Statistics
Why It Matters
Ohtani’s dual contributions have been pivotal to the Dodgers’ dominance. His absence from the rotation forces the club to reshuffle starters—right-hander Emmet Sheehan’s start was moved to Monday, and the team plans to rely on bullpen games and spot starters. The pause also jeopardizes Ohtani’s chance to accumulate the innings typically required for a Cy Young award, and raises questions about the Dodgers’ postseason pitching depth despite a comfortable lead.
Official Statements & Responses
Roberts emphasized caution, noting that the torque generated when Ohtani lands on his left leg during pitching “gets it upset,” whereas hitting does not provoke the same stress. He reiterated confidence that Ohtani will eventually return to the mound, but stressed that the timeline remains uncertain. Ohtani himself has said the knee irritation is tied to pitching mechanics and does not affect his hitting.
Criticism & Opposition
Some analysts, citing the Dodgers’ narrow margin for error in a championship run, argue that keeping Ohtani out of the rotation for an extended period could threaten the team’s World Series aspirations. The concern centers on the loss of a high-quality starter during the crucial stretch toward the playoffs.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the duration of Ohtani’s layoff: several describe it as “indefinite,” while others use the more ambiguous “some time.” No specific return date has been provided, and the team has not disclosed a target number of rest days or a rehabilitation schedule.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Kind of where we're at, right now, how we're proceeding, I would say that it's going to be some time,” — Dave Roberts, Dodgers manager
- “When he does swing the bat, it's the back knee versus the land knee where you're kind of driving off of it to create torque when you pitch. So there is no feeling of any sensation [when he hits] or any reason why we feel like we've got to stop hitting.” — Shohei Ohtani
- “It gives him some relief in his knee, which we were hoping to get, and then the four days off from activity, which gets it all to kind of settle in,” — Dave Roberts
- “I just think for us, it's more like what we've done many times over, erring on the side of caution,” — Dave Roberts
- “Could he probably do it? Sure. But right now, the benefits just don’t seem to outweigh the cost at this time of the season.” — Dave Roberts
What’s Next
The Dodgers will face the Phillies on July 22 with Emmet Sheehan slated to start, while left-handers Eric Lauer and Justin Wrobleski are scheduled for subsequent games. The club intends to maintain a six-man rotation through bullpen and spot-start usage until the knee improves, and Roberts indicated that Ohtani will continue to bat in the lineup while his pitching future remains under evaluation.
