Los Angeles Dodgers superstar two-way player Shohei Ohtani missed his last scheduled start before the All-Star Break. It was supposed to be July 10 versus the division rival Arizona Diamondbacks.
Ohtani missed that start due to a left knee issue. Even with the break to rest up, he was also held out of pitching in the team’s current weekend series at the New York Yankees.
It seemed as though Ohtani would take the mound during their upcoming three-game set at the Philadelphia Phillies. That start was scheduled for Wednesday. However, Jorge Castillo of ESPN reported Sunday that the superstar will miss that start.
This is disappointing news, seeing as the 32-year-old was healthy for the first three months of the season. Ohtani has made 14 starts (85 ⅔ innings pitched) compiling an 8-2 record, 1.79 ERA, 95 strikeouts and 26 walks.
The Dodgers are currently 62-36, first place in the National League West by a healthy 12 games over the Diamondbacks. That is comfortably the largest division lead of any team in MLB.
Los Angeles has 64 games left to play this season, and with the recent news concerning Ohtani, one has to wonder how cautious the team will be with him.
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They have no cause to send him to the injured list as he can still hit. It could be that they do not want to jeopardize his ability to do so by having him go to the mound with injury.
In 93 games hitting this year, Ohtani has slashed .289/.400/.543 (.943 OPS) with 22 home runs and 58 RBIs. He is infinitely valuable to that Dodgers lineup.
If Ohtani sits out from pitching the rest of the year, the club will have to hope that Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell can return as soon as possible. The rotation is currently missing a good amount of starters.
Not much is known about Ohtani’s knee problem, but more information could be on its way soon if he continues to sit out. For now, his situation might be becoming worrisome.
