Dodgers Decide Ohtani Won’t Pitch vs Yankees

The Los Angeles Dodgers have announced that Shohei Ohtani will not take the mound for this week’s three‑game series against the New York Yankees. The decision comes after the All‑Star break and follows a pattern of cautious management of Ohtani’s left knee.

Ohtani’s right to start was in doubt after he missed his most recent scheduled outing on Friday because of lingering knee soreness. The knee承受压力着 each pitch, landing on it more than 100 times per start. After completing treatment and resting for over two weeks, the team chose to skip the Yankees series to avoid extra strain.

Ohtani’s Knee History

The knee issue first surfaced after a regular pitching appearance, prompting the Dodgers to pull him from another start. To give the joint a break, Ohtani let the knee be drained and opted out of the All‑Star Game. Manager Roberts said the team wanted to be proactive, using the break to manage the condition rather than push the pitcher.

Even though the knee is not a concern for his hitting, Ohtani remains careful about his overall workload. He typically throws multiple bullpen sessions each week in addition to his one scheduled start, making any extra stress on the knee something the Dodgers wanted to avoid.

Impact on the Schedule

With the Yankees series off the table for Ohtani, the Dodgers now expect him to return to the mound during their upcoming three‑game set against the Philadelphia Phillies beginning Monday. The timing lines up with a four‑day gap after the All‑Star break, giving the knee additional recovery time before the next big commitment.

The move keeps Ohtani healthy as a hitter, a role he has thrived in. He entered the pre‑All‑Star stretch with several leadoff home runs, showing that his bat remains a reliable weapon for Los Angeles.

The decision positions the Dodgers to keep Ohtani’s arm healthy for the stretch run. By sitting him out for the Yankees series, the team aims to ensure he can contribute as both a hitter and a pitcher later in the season.

Fans will still get to see Ohtani’s power hitting when the Dodgers face the Phillies, hoping his presence at the plate can help LA stay atop the National League standings.