The Los Angeles Dodgers have paused Shohei Ohtani's throwing program due to persistent left knee soreness and right biceps discomfort, the team confirmed on July 29, 2026.
The setback creates uncertainty around his return to the mound as the MLB trade deadline approaches.
Ohtani last pitched on July 3, allowing three runs over six innings against the San Diego Padres.
He threw a 30-pitch bullpen session on July 22, but subsequent knee pain led to upper-body strain, prompting the team to halt his mound work while he continues as a designated hitter.
Team's Approach to Ohtani's Recovery
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts explained the cautious strategy.
"Trying to mitigate that, we stopped the throwing, stopped the bullpens -- hopefully, No. 1, take care of the knee and then not have him try to create velocity with the arm that's not 100%," Roberts said.
Roberts noted that Ohtani's previous bullpen session caused some regression. "I think the last 'pen that he had, there was a little bit of regression," Roberts said.
"We want to make sure that doesn't happen again."
Despite the halt, Roberts indicated Ohtani is unlikely to be shut down entirely. "Everything that I've heard, that's not the option," Roberts said.
"I guess anything's possible, but for me, it's highly unlikely."
Roberts emphasized the goal is to keep Ohtani healthy for both hitting and pitching.
"If the knee continues to get better and the arm continues to feel better, I would expect him to pitch," he said.
Ohtani remains a key offensive contributor.
"If we look at him and his value for our ballclub, we need him in the lineup," Roberts said.
"The swing, the running of the bases, the knee, the arm -- it doesn't compromise that."
Ohtani, speaking through interpreter Will Ireton, said his knee is improving. "The knee is getting better and the goal is to get to the 100% mark," Ohtani said.
"But I do have to focus on the hitting side."
He acknowledged the timeline may shift later in the season.
"It is still July, so I think the conversation [about pitching] will be a little different if we're in August or September," he added.
Ohtani described his biceps issue as similar to the knee problem. "My biceps (is) not 100 percent," he said.
"Just similar issue with the knee."
Front Office Perspective on Trade Deadline
Dodgers President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman linked Ohtani's throwing issues to his lower body.
"Subconsciously, we did not want to put him in a position where he was altering his mechanics to try to protect the knee in any way," Friedman said.
Friedman stated that without the knee problem, Ohtani would be pitching regularly. "If it weren't for the knee, he would be pitching right now.
He would be making his regular turn," he said.
He expressed confidence that Ohtani will resume throwing soon.
"I feel confident that, relatively soon, he's going to start getting out and start ramping up for catch play, bullpens, and getting him back," Friedman said.
Regarding the trade deadline, Friedman downplayed the urgency for starting pitching. "No, I don't think it puts it at an acute need at all," he said.
However, the team remains open to upgrades if elite talent becomes available. "There just aren't that many star-level players in the game.
Any time one is available, we're always going to participate in those conversations," Friedman said.
The front office continues to balance winning now with developing prospects.
"We talk about this a lot, of doing everything we can to win a World Series in that current year but also continuing to develop our young players," Friedman said.
Friedman highlighted the depth of outfield prospects in the minors. "This is far and away the deepest, most impressive group of outfielders I've ever seen," he said.
"Fortunately, right now it's in Low-A, High-A, Double-A and Triple-A, so there hasn't been any real friction yet."
He noted that the team may need to address that surplus soon.
"Whether that's this July or this offseason, there's going to be a time where we're going to need to redistribute that a little bit," Friedman said.
The Dodgers, with a 67-40 record, hold the best mark in MLB and lead the NL West by 11.5 games.
The club feels good about its current roster as the deadline nears.
