Shohei Ohtani’s knee injury sidelines him from pitching for the Dodgers

Los Angeles Dodgers two‑way star Shohei Ohtani has been sidelined from the mound because of persistent irritation in his left knee. After receiving a lubricant injection shortly before the All‑Star break, he was slated to start against the Philadelphia Phillies on July 22, but manager Dave Roberts announced the start would be scratched and that Ohtani’s return would “be some time” and “not a day‑to‑day thing.”

Roberts said the knee problem only flares when Ohtani pitches; he continues to bat as the designated hitter, posting a .289/.403/.549 line with 22 homers. Ohtani last pitched on July 3, a six‑inning win over the San Diego Padres, and the Dodgers have not set a timetable for his next start. The team leads the National League West with the best record in MLB (62‑36 or 63‑37 depending on the report) and is positioned as a lock for the postseason. The injury adds pressure to an already thin rotation, with Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow also dealing with injuries, prompting the Dodgers to consider trade‑deadline acquisitions for additional starters.