Los Angeles Dodgers reveal more on Ohtani pitching delay

The Los Angeles Dodgers are keeping Shohei Ohtani off the mound because of lingering left knee soreness and a right biceps issue that first flared when he exited his July 3 start. President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said the biceps has improved and the knee is the primary hurdle, with a return still expected this season.

Key Takeaways

• Ohtani is dealing with left knee soreness and a right biceps issue; the knee is the main reason he is not pitching.
• His last MLB start was July 3 vs. San Diego; a July 22 bullpen showed some regression, and he has not thrown off a mound since.
• Friedman said the injuries are not structural and expects Ohtani to ramp toward catch play and bullpens relatively soon.
• Neither ailment is keeping him out of the lineup as a designated hitter.
• Friedman said the pitching uncertainty does not create an acute trade-deadline need for a starter.

What injuries are keeping Ohtani from pitching?

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts revealed that Ohtani has experienced right biceps discomfort on top of lingering left knee soreness. The biceps issue first appeared when he was removed from his start against the Padres on July 3. Roberts said efforts to protect the knee placed unintended stress on Ohtani's upper body.

According to MLB.com, knee soreness had already forced Ohtani to miss his final start before the All-Star break and returned after a 30-pitch bullpen last week, prompting the club to shut down his throwing for now. Friedman later said the biceps "got better," adding that if not for the knee, Ohtani would be making his regular turn.

Ohtani told reporters through interpreter Will Ireton that his biceps is "not 100 percent," describing it as a similar issue to the knee. He also said long-term treatment decisions are likely to wait until after Los Angeles' postseason run.

When will Ohtani pitch again for the Dodgers?

There is no firm timeline. Roberts said last week the club will not push Ohtani forward until he feels 100%, citing a little regression in his most recent bullpen. The Dodgers have not ruled him out from pitching in October.

"If the knee continues to get better and the arm continues to feel better, I would expect him to pitch," Roberts said. On SportsNetLA, Friedman said Ohtani has begun building up by throwing plyo balls and that he feels confident the two-way star will start ramping up for catch play and bullpens relatively soon.

Friedman described the injuries as not structural, which the front office views as a clearer path back. Ohtani said the knee is getting better and that pitching conversations may look different in August or September. For more game and broadcast updates, follow our Streaming & TV Alerts hub.

Does this change the Dodgers' trade deadline plans?

With the Aug. 3 trade deadline approaching, Friedman said Ohtani's status does not put starting pitching at an acute need. He added that when a star-level arm such as Tarik Skubal is available, the Dodgers will always participate in those conversations.

Roberts said neither the knee nor the arm compromises Ohtani's swing or baserunning, and the club needs him in the lineup. Ohtani underscored that point Tuesday with a leadoff home run, going 3-for-4 and raising his season total to 23 homers while remaining one of the National League's top hitters.