The Los Angeles Dodgers announced that Shohei Ohtani is expected to pitch off a mound later this week, though no timetable exists for his return to the rotation.
Ohtani last pitched on July 3. Left knee irritation kept him out of last week’s All-Star Game and scrapped his scheduled start against the Phillies in Philadelphia on Wednesday.
Manager Dave Roberts said before Monday’s game against Philadelphia that the lubricant injection and skipped start were not because the issue is worsening. Rather, it has “not gotten better.”
“All that stuff is trying to give us the best chance to be out of the woods entirely,” Roberts said. He indicated Ohtani could throw off the mound on Thursday or Friday.
The Dodgers are scheduled to visit the White House on Thursday. They begin a three-game series at the New York Mets on Friday. Asked about a possible return to the rotation as early as next week, Roberts said, “I don’t know. He’s got to play catch again and then we’ll see.”
The Dodgers have the best record in the majors at 63-37 and an 11 1/2-game lead in the NL West.
