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.
>>> Hayden Wesneski Wins in Return to MLB After 14 Months
"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.
