Full Breakdown
Shohei Ohtani’s Pitching Future Remains Uncertain Amid Knee and Biceps Concerns
7/29/2026, 12:37:42 PM
Core Event – Injury Update and Pitching Status
The Los Angeles Dodgers’ two-way star Shohei Ohtani has not pitched since his July 3 start. He was scratched from his next scheduled start on July 22 because of lingering left-knee discomfort and later disclosed that his right biceps is also not at full strength. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed that the team has halted all bullpen work for Ohtani while the injuries are evaluated, and no timeline for his return to the mound has been set.
Background & Context – Rotation strain and postseason goals
The Dodgers entered the post-All-Star stretch with a three-man rotation weakened by injuries to Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow and Ohtani. Snell and Glasnow are each in the final stages of rehab, while the rotation is currently anchored by Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Roki Sasaki, Emmet Sheehan, Justin Wrobleski and Eric Lauer. The club’s front office has emphasized that Ohtani’s health is a priority ahead of the October playoffs.
Timeline
- July 11 – Ohtani addresses reporters for the first time since early July, noting “similar issue with the knee.”
- July 22 – Ohtani is scratched from his first start after the All-Star break because of left-knee discomfort.
- July 3 – Ohtani’s last pitching appearance; he has not played catch or thrown a bullpen session since.
Data & Statistics
- Pitching: 14 starts this season, 1.79 ERA, 85.2 innings, 95 strikeouts.
- Hitting since the All-Star break: 7-for-38 (.184) with a 22 % strikeout rate and no home runs in nine games.
- Rotation outlook: Snell and Glasnow each expected to rejoin the rotation next month; the Dodgers remain atop their division with a league-best record.
Official Statements & Responses
- Shohei Ohtani (through an interpreter) said his knee is “getting better” and that the goal is to reach “100 %,” while also noting that his biceps “is not 100 %” and that decisions about pitching will be revisited later in the season.
- Dave Roberts explained that the team stopped bullpen work to protect both the lower and upper body, emphasizing a “take care of the knee” approach before allowing any velocity-driven arm work. He expects Ohtani to be healthy for the postseason and said the injury will not alter the Dodgers’ trade-deadline plans.
- Brandon Gomes stated that the club feels “very good about our pitching,” pointing to the progress of Snell and Glasnow as evidence that the rotation will be competitive without forcing Ohtani back prematurely.
Why It Matters – Playoff implications and roster strategy
If Ohtani can resume pitching before the October postseason, the Dodgers would regain a rare two-way talent capable of bolstering both the rotation and the lineup. A prolonged absence would force the club to rely on a six-man rotation and could influence bullpen usage in high-leverage games. The uncertainty also shapes the team’s approach to the trade deadline, as Roberts indicated that Ohtani’s health does not currently affect acquisition plans.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps – Timeline estimates differ
Some outlets suggest a “mid-to-late August” return, while others refrain from naming a specific date, noting only that the decision will be made later in the season. No source provides a definitive schedule for Ohtani’s first bullpen session or catch work, leaving the exact timeline for his pitching comeback unresolved.
