CHICAGO — Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani has been ruled day-to-day after developing inflammation in his left knee.
The two-way star was scratched from Friday evening’s lineup as the Dodgers opened their series against the Chicago White Sox. However, manager Dave Roberts indicated Ohtani might see action during the weekend games and should be ready for his scheduled pitching appearance on Wednesday.
Ohtani was replaced by a pinch hitter during the seventh inning of Thursday evening’s 8-6 victory over Pittsburgh.
“He’s doing fine today,” Roberts told reporters before Friday’s White Sox matchup. “I think that we got some pictures. There was no findings. It’s just the normal wear and tear. I thought initially it was a hamstring, it was the knee. So it just kind of got upset, swelled up a little bit.”
The 31-year-old is hitting .305 with 13 home runs and 40 RBIs across 67 games for the NL West-leading club. As a pitcher, the defending NL MVP has compiled a 6-2 record with a 1.06 ERA through 11 starts.
Ohtani underwent left knee surgery in September 2019. Roberts noted the current swelling is located behind the knee.
“That’s where a lot of the swelling with the knee kind of like builds,” Roberts explained. “But again his range of motion today is good and so if it was another time in the season he’d be in there tonight.”
Ohtani was unavailable to reporters prior to the game.
Alex Call took over the leadoff position for Los Angeles while Santiago Espinal filled the designated hitter role.
