Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts delivered a measured but hopeful update on Shohei Ohtani after the two-way superstar was scratched from Friday night’s series opener against the Chicago White Sox due to knee swelling. What initially looked like a potential hamstring issue turned out to be something far less alarming — but it was enough to push the Dodgers to err on the side of caution.
Speaking to reporters before Friday’s game, Roberts explained that Ohtani is dealing with what he called “normal wear and tear” and that the swelling has already begun to subside. Importantly, the skipper said there are no plans for an injured list stint.
“He’s doing fine today,” Roberts said. “I thought initially it was a hamstring, it was the knee, so it just kind of got upset, swelled up a little bit, and so I think we were kind of getting ahead of it… It’s something that I think that we can manage, not an IL situation, and just seeing him today, he feels fine-ish, but again, just giving him an extra day is the smart thing to do.”
What This Means for Ohtani’s Pitching Schedule
The key question for Dodgers fans — and fantasy managers — is whether this knee issue will delay Ohtani’s next pitching start. According to Roberts, the plan remains for Ohtani to take the mound Wednesday against the Tampa Bay Rays as scheduled. However, the manager left the door open for a one-game delay on his return to the lineup as a hitter.
“I don’t think it’s going to affect, maybe the short term, depending on how he feels, you know. I expect him to make his start on Wednesday, and till I hear otherwise, I expect him to be in there either tomorrow or the next day until I hear otherwise,” Roberts said, via SportsNet LA.
In other words: Saturday or Sunday looks likely for his return as a designated hitter. Wednesday remains the target for his return as a pitcher. The Dodgers are clearly treating this as a minor speed bump — not a red flag.
Ohtani’s Numbers So Far
Through roughly two and a half months of his debut Dodgers season, Ohtani is slashing .305/.398/.577 with 13 home runs and 40 RBIs. He has been exactly what the organization hoped for when it signed him to a record-breaking $700 million contract — a middle-of-the-order force who also anchors the rotation.
While the swelling in his knee Friday raised eyebrows, Roberts’ tone suggested the team is simply being proactive with a long season ahead. The Dodgers sit atop the NL West and are managing their stars with October in mind.
Still, any time Ohtani’s body sends up a flare — even a small one — it gets attention. The 30-year-old has already undergone two major elbow surgeries and missed the entire 2023 season as a pitcher before returning to both roles this year in Los Angeles.
For now, the plan is simple: rest Saturday, see how he feels Sunday, and pencil him in for Wednesday’s start. The Dodgers are betting that an extra day off now saves them a bigger headache later.
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