Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani is expected to be in the lineup this weekend when his team travels to New York to face the Yankees, even after undergoing a procedure to drain fluid from his left knee.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts addressed the situation Tuesday, explaining that Ohtani had the fluid drained to ease irritation in the knee following Sunday’s game. Roberts added that the four-time MVP spent a few days away from the team during the All-Star break and did not receive an injection as part of the treatment.
The two-time World Series champion Dodgers open the second half of the season on Friday with the first game of a three-game set at Yankee Stadium.
“He’s going to be in the lineup,” Roberts said, speaking ahead of his duties managing the National League squad in the All-Star Game.
Ohtani, who skipped Tuesday’s All-Star Game, has had a standout season both at the plate and on the mound. He is hitting .293 with 22 home runs and 58 RBIs, while also posting an 8-2 record with a 1.79 ERA and 95 strikeouts across 85 2/3 innings in 14 starts as a pitcher.
Ohtani’s last pitching appearance came on July 3, and it remains uncertain whether he will pitch during the Yankees series.
“We haven’t decided that yet,” Roberts said.
