Ohtani Out: Dodgers Star Misses Start vs Phillies

Shohei Ohtani will miss his scheduled start Wednesday against the Philadelphia Phillies and will not take the mound for an indefinite period while dealing with irritation in his left knee.

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts delivered the update Sunday ahead of a doubleheader against the New York Yankees. Roberts had stated Friday that the initial plan called for Ohtani to return to the mound that Wednesday in Philadelphia after more than two weeks away from pitching.

Knee Recovery Timeline

The change came after Ohtani informed the Dodgers training staff that the knee was not progressing as expected ahead of his usual bullpen session. Roberts said he does not yet know whether the start will be pushed back a few days or skipped altogether, adding that the situation is not day-to-day and will require some time. He fully expects Ohtani to pitch again this season.

Ohtani last pitched July 3, allowing three runs over six innings against the San Diego Padres. He was scratched from his next outing but continued as the designated hitter. On July 12, the Sunday before the All-Star break, he received a lubricant injection into the knee and did not travel to Philadelphia for the All-Star Game.

Rotation and Lineup Adjustments

The alteration prompted the Dodgers to shift Emmet Sheehan's scheduled start back one day to Monday. They plan to use a bullpen game for the nightcap of Sunday's doubleheader after Yoshinobu Yamamoto starts the opener opposite Yankees right-hander Cam Schlittler. Ohtani will serve as the designated hitter for the opener, though Roberts said the club has not decided whether he will be in the lineup for the second game.

Roberts described the approach as erring on the side of caution, consistent with past handling of similar situations. The knee issue surfaces only when he throws, according to the manager.