Full Breakdown
Shohei Ohtani’s Knee Regression Delays Pitching Return
7/26/2026, 12:59:11 PM
Core Event: Bullpen Session Skipped Amid Knee Regression
On Saturday, July 25, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts announced that Shohei Ohtani would not throw a bullpen session as planned. The decision followed “regression” in Ohtani’s left-knee condition after a 30-pitch bullpen on Wednesday, July 22, in Philadelphia. Roberts said the team will wait until Ohtani feels “100 percent confident” before returning him to the mound.
Background & Context
Ohtani’s left-knee irritation first forced him out of a June 11 game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The discomfort is linked to a congenital bipartite patella—a kneecap formed from two bones—addressed surgically in September 2019 while he was with the Los Angeles Angels. In preparation for the All-Star break, Ohtani received a lubricant injection on July 12, but the knee flare-up resurfaced later in the month. He has not pitched since his July 3 start against the San Diego Padres, though he continues to bat and run as the Dodgers’ designated hitter.
Data & Statistics
- Pitching: 1.79 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 8-2 record, 95 strikeouts in 85 2/3 innings over 14 starts.
- Hitting (as of July 25): .282 batting average, .920 OPS, 22 home runs, 61 RBIs.
- Last pitching appearance: July 3, allowing three runs over six innings.
Official Statements & Responses
Roberts emphasized that Ohtani’s knee pain is limited to pitching; hitting and base-running have not aggravated the condition. He noted that the team will “kick the can” on further mound work until both the player and medical staff are confident of a full recovery. Roberts also indicated that a return to pitching is not expected “next week,” and that the timeline remains fluid, with no specific timetable provided.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We're going to just kick the can on that one,” — Dave Roberts, dodgers manager
- “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,” — Dave Roberts, dodgers manager
- “Every player wants to get back out there and do what they do. But I think he understands it's not about July, it's about October,” — Dave Roberts, dodgers manager
- “We’re just going to kick the can,” — Dave Roberts, dodgers manager
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources agree that Ohtani’s knee regression halted his bullpen work, but they differ on the projected return window. No source provides a definitive date for his next mound appearance, leaving the exact schedule uncertain.
What’s Next
The Dodgers have not set a timetable for Ohtani’s pitching comeback. The organization remains cautious with his workload as the team approaches the trade-deadline day on July 25. Ohtani will continue to contribute as a designated hitter while his knee recovery progresses.
