Dodgers’ Ohtani Removed from Game with Left Knee Inflammation; Manager Expresses Low Concern

The Los Angeles Dodgers, sitting comfortably atop the National League West with an eight-game lead, faced a momentary setback on Thursday when two-way star Shohei Ohtani was pulled from their game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The decision came after Ohtani, who went 2-for-2 with a home run, a single, and two walks, was replaced via pinch hit in the seventh inning.

Medical evaluations revealed left knee inflammation as the cause, though the timeline of when the discomfort began remains unclear. Despite the diagnosis, manager Dave Roberts downplayed concerns about an extended absence, calling the issue minor and emphasizing a cautious approach to avoid aggravating the condition.

This incident adds to a history of minor injuries for Ohtani this season, including a right hand bruise from a May 26 pitch. The Japanese phenom has maintained his elite-level performance, contributing both offensively and as a pitcher. On the mound, he holds a 6-2 record, 1.06 ERA, 0.84 WHIP, and 73 strikeouts over 67.1 innings. There is currently no set timeline for his return, but Roberts indicated that Ohtani’s removal was precautionary rather than indicative of a serious issue.

“Not high,” Roberts said regarding his concern level. “We’re trying to be smart. The trainer mentioned a behind-the-knee strain—possibly a hamstring issue. We just wanted to avoid pushing too hard and risking further injury.”

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