Ohtani to Halt Pitching Due to Knee Pain, Will Continue as Hitter

▲ Shohei Ohtani warms up with catch before the game against the Yankees

Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani will temporarily put his two-way play on hold due to inflammation in his left knee.

While his appearances as a pitcher will be postponed for the time being, he will continue to play as a hitter.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts announced the decision today (July 20) ahead of the first game of a doubleheader against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium in New York.

Ohtani, who received a lubricant injection in his left knee just before the All-Star break, was originally scheduled to pitch against the Philadelphia Phillies on July 23.

However, after determining that his knee was not at 100 percent during catch sessions over the weekend, he did not even proceed with bullpen throwing.

Manager Roberts drew a line, stating, "It will take some time before he can pitch," and added, "We are monitoring his condition daily, and this is not a minor issue that can be decided immediately."

However, there are no issues with his participation as a hitter.

This is because while hitting puts weight on the back knee, pitching places significant stress on the landing front knee, which causes strain.

Ohtani started as the leadoff designated hitter in the game against the Yankees today, recording 2 hits in 5 at-bats, including an RBI double, with 2 RBIs and 1 run scored.

Ohtani's last pitching appearance this season was against the San Diego Padres on July 4.

As a pitcher this season, he has been performing exceptionally well, starting 14 games, pitching 85 2/3 innings, and recording 8 wins and 2 losses with a 1.79 ERA and 95 strikeouts.

The fact that the Dodgers are currently leading the National League West by a wide margin also influenced the decision to give Ohtani a rest.

Manager Roberts said, "There is no need to push him at this point in the season."

Meanwhile, the Dodgers won the first game of the doubleheader against the Yankees 8-2, as starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto secured his 10th win of the season with a complete game, allowing 2 runs on 4 hits with 7 strikeouts.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)

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