Shohei Ohtani Still ‘Managing’ Left Knee Inflammation

Shohei Ohtani has missed only one game since being removed early last week because of left knee inflammation, though the Los Angeles Dodgers did manage his workload in the series finale against the Tampa Bay Rays by only having him pitch.

It marked the fifth time in 12 pitching starts this season that Ohtani was not also in the Dodgers lineup as their designated hitter. He did bat for Miguel Rojas in the bottom of the sixth inning before officially exiting the game as a pitcher.

There had been some questions leading up to Wednesday whether or not Ohtani would make his start because of the left knee trouble. His between-starts bullpen session was delayed by one day as a means of providing the balky knee with more rest before putting it through the strain of throwing off a mound.

Shohei Ohtani’s left knee inflammation

Despite Ohtani not showing much effects of the knee issue, save for perhaps not always running the bases as aggressively, the Dodgers don’t believe it’s something he’s fully moved on from.

“I wouldn’t say completely behind us, but I feel we can manage it,” Roberts said. “He’s managing it, the training staff is managing it. But I wouldn’t say completely behind us.”

What Roberts did also note this week was the swelling in the back of Ohtani’s left knee had “completely dissipated” before his pitching start against the Rays.

Since the minor health issue surfaced, the Dodgers have effectively put base-stealing restraints on Ohtani. And coupled with the blister on his right middle finger, it’s possible the team will look to provide him with extra rest if an opportunity arises.

“In terms of workload and quantity, I’ll let the team decide and take charge of that,” Ohtani said through interpreter Will Ireton after his six innings against the Rays. “My No. 1 goal is to make sure we’re all healthy leading up to the playoffs. We have a set schedule, and I’m just going to do what I’m supposed to do during that schedule.

“I’ll let the management handle the workload.”

If there’s a silver lining to be found for Ohtani and the Dodgers, the inflammation is not related to left knee surgery he had in September 2019 to repair a bipartite patella, which occurs when the two bones of the kneecap don’t fuse together at birth.

Ohtani explained the knee inflammation was a result of poor pitching mechanics that he corrected in the start against the Rays.