Shohei Ohtani was left out of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ lineup on Thursday as a precautionary measure for a lingering left knee injury.
Manager Dave Roberts stated the decision was made to prevent the soreness from escalating into a more severe issue.
The 32-year-old is expected to make a swift return to action on Friday.
Pitching problems persist
The Japanese superstar’s left knee has already prevented him from taking the mound for nearly a month.
Dodgers officials previously maintained that the joint, located on his landing leg, only troubled him during pitching duties.
However, this recent flare-up while acting strictly as a position player raises potential concerns for the franchise.
Roberts noted that the current irritation stems from the designated hitter being on base seven times over the previous two nights.
“I appreciate the communication. I can’t read minds, the training staff can’t read minds, so just for him to communicate that allows for us to make a decision.”
Dave Roberts
Long road to recovery
The two-way phenom last pitched on 3 July, exiting a 110-pitch performance after tweaking his right biceps on a swing.
Shortly before the All-Star break, he received a lubricating injection in the troublesome left knee in an attempt to alleviate the persistent pain.
An attempt to throw a bullpen session in Philadelphia on 22 July further aggravated both the knee and his earlier biceps issue.
Despite these setbacks, president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman remains confident the star will pitch again this season.
Managing the pain
Medical experts have informed the two-time MVP that complete healing will require a full offseason of rest.
Consequently, the Los Angeles outfit is currently focused on pain management rather than a permanent mid-season cure.
The organisation is strongly resisting the temptation to place their prized asset on the injured list.
“It’s gotten better over the last few weeks markedly. To essentially take it out of his hands, shut him down, the player — you trust him.”
Dave Roberts
The Detroit Tigers are preparing to trade two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal ahead of the 3 August MLB trade deadline following a slump that has derailed their play-off hopes.
The reigning American League pitching champion is expected to be moved rather than departing for a minimal compensatory draft pick in free agency.
Detroit currently sit four and a half games adrift of the final wild-card spot after a devastating 12-inning collapse against the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday.
Dodgers and Brewers lead the chase
Several heavyweight franchises are closely monitoring the situation as the trade window draws to a close.
The Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays are viewed as the primary contenders to secure the sought-after left-hander.
These three organisations boast baseball’s strongest farm systems, providing the prospect capital required to facilitate a blockbuster deal.
Adding the dominant starter would cement the Rays as American League favourites or potentially grant the back-to-back champion Dodgers the sport’s premier arm.
Prospect capital driving up the price
Atlanta and the Chicago Cubs are also remaining in the mix for a transformative rotation upgrade.
However, the immense minor-league depth of the frontrunners threatens to price other interested parties out of the market.
The Brewers possess top-tier talent like highly rated shortstop Jesus Made, while the Dodgers can offer elite outfielders including Josue De Paula.
With starting pitching historically commanding a massive premium in the summer, Detroit’s front office is positioned to demand a franchise-altering return for their departing ace.
Shohei Ohtani’s return to the pitching mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers has been delayed following continued discomfort in his left knee and right bicep.
The 32-year-old was originally scratched from his first post-All-Star break start in late July due to a persistent lower-body issue.
He successfully threw a 30-pitch bullpen session in Philadelphia shortly after, but a subsequent scheduled session was ultimately postponed.
Speaking after a narrow 7-6 defeat by the Seattle Mariners, the Japanese international admitted his right arm was also causing lingering problems.
Caution prioritised over accelerated return
The two-way superstar revealed the franchise is taking a highly cautious approach because it is still relatively early in the baseball calendar.
“It is still July. I think the conversations would be a little different if we’re in August or September.”
Shohei Ohtani, speaking through an interpreter.
He has not pitched in a competitive game since early July, when he threw a season-high 110 pitches before exiting with irritation in his throwing arm.
While the offensive powerhouse remains crucial to the batting lineup, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed they have paused his throwing programme entirely.
“If we look at him, and his value to our ballclub, we need him in the lineup. The swing, the running of the bases — the knee, the arm doesn’t compromise that.”
Dave Roberts, Los Angeles Dodgers manager.
Dodgers rotation receives timely injury boosts
Despite the uncertainty surrounding their marquee player’s pitching status, the National League West leaders are currently welcoming back several key figures.
The Los Angeles outfit is currently tied for the sport’s best overall record and possesses its largest division lead.
Utility player Enrique Hernandez has already been activated from the injured list, while star closer Edwin Diaz is expected to follow shortly.
High-profile starting pitchers Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow are also progressing well and could rejoin the major league rotation next month.
New York Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger will be sidelined for four to six weeks after suffering a Grade 2 left hamstring strain during Saturday’s victory over the Philadelphia Phillies.
Manager Aaron Boone confirmed the recovery timeframe on Monday, following the player’s placement on the 10-day injured list.
The recent All-Star Game Most Valuable Player felt tightness late in the 3-1 win and was subsequently replaced in the eighth inning.
Growing injury crisis in the Bronx
This latest setback exacerbates an escalating injury crisis for the American League East franchise ahead of next month’s trade deadline.
New York are already operating without captain Aaron Judge, who has missed nearly two months with a fractured rib, and veteran slugger Giancarlo Stanton.
The team currently sit three games behind the first-place Tampa Bay Rays in their divisional standings.
Jones recalled as Boone demands resilience
In response to the sudden roster vacancy, highly-rated prospect Spencer Jones has been recalled from Triple-A affiliate Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
“Just got to mix and match and piece it together,” Boone said.
“We have capable guys. We’re going out there expecting to win.”
Lucrative contract and recent slump
The defensive standout secured a lucrative five-year contract worth $162.5m (£126m) last winter and remains a crucial component of the team’s lineup.
Despite leading the major leagues with 19 defensive runs saved this season, his offensive production has waned significantly in recent weeks.
After hitting a respectable .280 through mid-June, a sustained slump dropped his batting average to .259, and he has failed to hit a home run in over a month.
The Boston Red Sox have acquired infielder Curtis Mead from the Washington Nationals in exchange for highly-rated left-handed pitcher Connelly Early ahead of the Major League Baseball trade deadline.
The American League East franchise parted ways with a consensus top prospect to secure the breakout batter.
Early has enjoyed an impressive start to his major league career across his first 34 starts.
However, Boston management has opted to bank on advanced tracking metrics rather than traditional valuation models to finalise this high-stakes exchange.
Fenway Park fit for reformed hitter
The much-travelled infielder has completely overhauled his approach at the plate this season.
Standing more upright and closer to the plate, the right-handed batter has transformed into a dangerous flyball-heavy pull hitter.
These mechanical adjustments have resulted in a significant spike in isolated power alongside vastly improved walk and strikeout rates.
The iconic dimensions of Fenway Park are notoriously favourable to right-handed batters who consistently lift the ball into the air.
Nationals capitalise on pitching potential
While the incoming batter is enjoying a stellar campaign featuring a 137 OPS+, his defensive and base-running limitations remain a notable concern.
The Washington outfit possesses ample offensive firepower to comfortably absorb his mid-season departure.
Acquiring a talented southpaw with immense team control remaining represents a significant coup for the National League side.
Many traditional baseball evaluators view this swap as a lopsided victory for the team residing in the nation’s capital.
Carlos Beltran, Andruw Jones and Jeff Kent will be officially inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown this weekend following their legendary major league careers.
The trio forms the celebrated Class of 2026, marking the ultimate recognition for their outstanding contributions to the sport.
Beltran cements his legacy as one of the most complete outfielders of his generation.
The former Houston Astros star is one of only eight players in history to register at least 300 home runs and 300 stolen bases.
Five-tool phenom
A native of Puerto Rico, the switch-hitter initially burst onto the national stage during a spectacular 2004 postseason run.
He smashed eight home runs and stole six bases over 12 playoff games, showcasing an unprecedented blend of power and speed.
“He was Superman. It was a display of something I’d never seen before.”
– Craig Biggio, former Houston Astros teammate
Beyond that magical October, the nine-time All-Star finished his distinguished career with 435 home runs, three Gold Gloves and an extraordinary 86.4% stolen base success rate.
Defensive masterclass
Jones joins his contemporary in Cooperstown after establishing himself as arguably the greatest defensive centre fielder in baseball history.
The former Atlanta Braves prodigy announced his arrival by hitting two home runs in Game 1 of the 1996 World Series as a 19-year-old.
He subsequently secured 10 consecutive Gold Gloves while launching 434 career home runs.
Both outfielders join an exclusive group, becoming just the fourth and fifth primary centre fielders to debut after 1960 and reach the sport’s highest honour.
Record-breaking infielder
Kent completes the distinguished trio after being elected by the contemporary baseball era committee last December.
The 2000 National League MVP holds the all-time record for the most home runs hit by a second baseman.
Together, these three icons now take their rightful place among the immortals of America’s pastime.
New York Mets star Juan Soto is scheduled for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan on his left calf after leaving Friday’s 4-2 defeat by the Los Angeles Dodgers with renewed soreness.
Interim manager Andy Green admitted the setback could force the 27-year-old onto the injured list for a second time this season.
“I think any time you get an image, you’re concerned,” said Green.
“You’re concerned enough to go do it, so we’ll wait until tomorrow and figure out what we’re doing.”
Recurring calf issues
The franchise’s sole All-Star selection missed more than two weeks in April with a strain in the exact same area.
After experiencing a minor flare-up last week, the slugger started as a designated hitter in five of his last seven appearances to reduce stress on his leg.
He suffered a recurrence of symptoms while pushing off to run towards second base during a Bo Bichette double play in the third inning.
Jorge Polanco subsequently replaced him in the batting order ahead of his third plate appearance.
Trade deadline looms
Losing their offensive centrepiece would be a devastating blow to a struggling New York side navigating an already abysmal campaign.
The Dominican outfielder has been a rare bright spot this year, hitting .283 with 21 home runs over 84 games.
His exceptional .947 on-base plus slugging (OPS) figure currently ranks third across the major leagues.
This latest injury concern arrives as the organisation prepares to trade several veteran players ahead of the fast-approaching 3 August deadline.
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has confirmed that two-way star Shohei Ohtani will not return to the pitching rotation next week as he recovers from left knee irritation.
The Japanese sensation has not pitched since 3 July after requiring a lubricant injection in the joint just before the All-Star break.
However, the injury has not affected his hitting, allowing him to remain a regular fixture in the starting lineup as a designated hitter.
October ambitions prioritised
Ohtani is tentatively scheduled to throw another bullpen session at Citi Field on Saturday prior to the series against the New York Mets.
Despite this scheduled progress, the franchise is adopting a highly cautious approach with their prized asset.
“Every player wants to get back out there and do what they do. But I think he understands it’s not about July, it’s about October.”
Roberts added that the team has already invested significant time in his recovery and will remain “nimble” rather than pushing him prematurely.
The four-time Most Valuable Player currently boasts an impressive 8-2 pitching record this season alongside a stellar 1.79 earned run average.
At the plate, the prolific slugger continues to dominate, batting .283 with 22 home runs and 60 RBIs for the National League West leaders.
Dodgers injury updates
Alongside Ohtani, several other key pitchers are working their way back to full fitness for the defending World Series champions.
Two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell is scheduled for a second rehab start with Triple-A affiliate Oklahoma City.
The veteran left-hander has been sidelined since May following the discovery of loose bodies in his elbow.
Meanwhile, star closer Edwin Díaz is expected to rejoin the major league squad on Tuesday following successful back-to-back rehab appearances.
Tyler Glasnow is also trending positively after throwing to hitters in his ongoing recovery from lower back spasms.