Dodgers' Dave Roberts shares big Shohei Ohtani injury update after knee scare

The biggest story to emerge from the Los Angeles Dodgers' 8-6 win at the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday had nothing to do with the final score, as two-way Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani exited the game in the seventh inning due to what was referred to as left knee inflammation.

Following the victory, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts offered an update on Ohtani's status. 

Are Dave Roberts, Dodgers concerned Shohei Ohtani may need stint on injured list? 

Per The Associated Press (h/t ESPN) and John Perrotto of the MLB website, Roberts downplayed the seriousness of Ohtani's setback while speaking with media members. 

"We tried to be smart about it and get him out of the game," Roberts said about Ohtani. "He told the trainer that he felt a little something behind his knee, and I just didn't see any sense in risking it."

As of the time that Roberts spoke, he was optimistic that Ohtani would be good to go to play in Friday night's series opener at the Chicago White Sox (36-31). If the Dodgers choose to sit Ohtani on Friday, his next opportunity to play would be Saturday afternoon in Chicago. 

Is there a long-term concern about Shohei Ohtani's knee?

Alden Gonzalez of ESPN took to X (formerly known as Twitter) and shared a reminder that Ohtani has a history of left knee issues. For a piece published in September 2019, Gonzalez wrote that Ohtani needed surgery at that time "to address bipartite patella in his left knee, a rare congenital condition that was giving Ohtani discomfort." 

Gonzalez added that "bipartite patella is caused by the two bones of the kneecap not fusing together at birth, an issue present in no more than 2% of the population."

Thus far this season, Ohtani has slashed .305/.421/.543 with 13 home runs, 40 RBI and six stolen bases. As a pitcher, he has gone 6-2 with a 1.06 ERA across 11 starts for the first-place Dodgers (44-25). 

"He’s only the greatest player in the world," Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman said about his reaction to Ohtani leaving Thursday's game early. 

Time will tell if Freeman and others will have anything to worry about regarding Ohtani's knee beyond this weekend.