Full Breakdown
Shohei Ohtani’s Knee Soreness Forces Dodgers to Sit Star in Lineup
7/31/2026, 10:41:28 PM
Core Event: Ohtani out for Thursday’s game vs. Mariners
The Los Angeles Dodgers left-designated hitter Shohei Ohtani off the Thursday night lineup against the Seattle Mariners because of lingering soreness in his left knee. Manager Dave Roberts called the move “precautionary” to prevent the issue from worsening. The decision came after Ohtani’s knee, which has kept him from pitching for close to a month, was irritated while he was on base multiple times over the previous two nights.
Background & Context
Ohtani’s left-knee problems began earlier in the season and have been linked to his role as a pitcher. After a season-high 110-pitch outing on July 3, he tweaked his right biceps on a swing and later received a lubricant injection in the knee, followed by four days of rest. The Dodgers subsequently skipped his scheduled start in Philadelphia on July 22. A bullpen session on the day of the skipped start further aggravated both the knee and the biceps, prompting Ohtani to cease all throwing for several days.
Data & Statistics
- Hitting line: .289/.394/.537 over 99 games.
- Power: 23 home runs and 21 doubles.
- Pitching: 1.79 ERA in limited appearances.
- July 3 outing: 110 pitches, season-high workload.
Official Statements & Responses
He added that the team is monitoring Ohtani’s condition closely and hopes to have him begin catching drills over the weekend.
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman expressed confidence that Ohtani will return to the mound later in the season, while medical staff have warned that the knee will not fully heal until the offseason, prompting the club to avoid an injured-list placement for now.
Ohtani himself said his goal is to reach “100 %” on the knee, indicating a focus on both hitting and fielding responsibilities.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Dodgers officials have repeatedly stated that the knee issue primarily affects Ohtani when he pitches, yet his recent soreness while running the bases suggests a broader impact. The team has not disclosed whether a formal evaluation for an IL stint will be pursued, leaving uncertainty about his availability for the upcoming postseason stretch.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The knee is getting better and the goal is to get to the 100% mark,” — Shohei Ohtani
- “I want to help this team to win,” — Díaz
- “That's a hard question, and I understand the thought behind it,” — Dave Roberts, manager
What’s Next
Roberts indicated that Ohtani is slated to rejoin the lineup for the Friday series opener against the Boston Red Sox. The club will reassess his status after that game and before the July 22 scheduled start in Philadelphia, at which point a decision on a possible injured-list move could be made.
