Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani said Tuesday that right biceps discomfort and a left knee recovery have delayed his return to pitching ahead of the Aug.
3 trade deadline.
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Ohtani has not pitched since July 3 and canceled a bullpen session in New York over the weekend after his knee and throwing arm felt compromised.
“My biceps (is) not 100 percent,” Ohtani said through interpreter Will Ireton. “Just similar issue with the knee.
Do we consider pushing this? It is still July.
So I think the conversation would be a little different if we’re in August or September.”
He hit a leadoff home run in Tuesday's 7-6 loss to the Seattle Mariners but has struggled offensively with a .
711 OPS in July and a 7-for-38 slump after an All-Star break knee injection.
“If I was completely, no issue, 100 percent, I think things would have gone the way it was supposed to,” Ohtani said.
“But if I’m at 90 percent, which means 10 percent not quite there, then there’s not really a necessity to force the issue.”
Dodgers Prioritize Ohtani's Bat
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the team has halted Ohtani's throwing progression beyond basic plyo ball drills, focusing on his hitting while avoiding further risks.
“Until I hear otherwise, he’s going to be in the lineup,” Roberts said.
Roberts noted that Ohtani's extended absence from the mound will require a longer buildup before he can start again.
