Shohei Ohtani Skips Bullpen Session With Knee “Regression”

Dodgers righty Shohei Ohtani had another bullpen session on tap for Saturday, but it didn’t happen. After failing to adequately recover from a 31-pitch workout earlier this week, the Dodgers scrapped the plan for Ohtani to throw this weekend. “Just doesn’t feel 100%, because I think that the last ‘pen that he had, there was a little bit of regression,” manager Dave Roberts told reporters, including Jack Harris of the California Post.

The pitcher version of Ohtani has been sidelined since early July with right knee inflammation. He had an injection in the area over the All-Star break, but was scratched from his first start after the time off. Roberts has said Ohtani wouldn’t pitch “for some time,” but there hasn’t been a clear timeline. Ohtani getting back on the mound earlier this week was a positive sign. His progress has apparently halted.

“Obviously not ideal, him throwing his last bullpen and going backwards, essentially,” Roberts said. “That’s disappointing, because you throw a bullpen to continue to build up.”

Roberts added that Ohtani is still expected to pitch again this year. He’s also going to remain in the hitting lineup on an everyday basis. Ohtani has a .760 OPS in July, a fine mark for a normal hitter, but a disappointing output for the four-time MVP.

Ohtani had been a viable contender in a crowded NL Cy Young race before the injury. He has a pristine 1.79 ERA through 14 starts. The righty has completed at least six innings in all but one appearance. Ohtani wasn’t putting up the huge strikeout numbers he’s had in the past, but he was keeping runs off the board at a career-best clip.

The Dodgers have had to navigate multiple significant injuries in the rotation this season. A back injury has cost Tyler Glasnow half the year. Blake Snell made it through one start before needing elbow surgery. Justin Wrobleski has stepped up in a huge way, pitching well enough to earn an All-Star selection. The Dodgers have also gotten decent results from trade acquisition Eric Lauer. There hasn’t been a replacement for Ohtani yet, with the club instead moving to a traditional five-man rotation.