Shohei Ohtani’s Knee Injury Timeline Limits Dodgers’ Pitching

Roberts Outlines Return Window for Ohtani

Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts said the Dodgers’ two‑way star will not be back on the mound “at least a week to 10 days.” Roberts made the comment during the Dodgers’ broadcast against the Philadelphia Phillies, noting that the team is monitoring Ohtani’s progress before considering his return to pitching duties. The timeline coincides with the upcoming series against the Phillies, where Ohtani’s absence will be felt both on the hill and at the plate.

Knee Trouble Dates Back to June

Ohtani has been dealing with a lingering knee issue since June, forcing him to miss a scheduled start before the All‑Star break and later sit out an entire game. The injury also caused him to skip the All‑Star game, after he underwent a procedure on his knee. Prior to Sunday’s doubleheader against the New York Yankees, Roberts revealed that Ohtani would not pitch in his next scheduled turn, which was slated for Wednesday against the Phillies.

“Shohei’s not going to start on Wednesday,” Roberts explained. “His knee, we just want to continue to give it the best chance to get into a good spot. As he said, as we feel, it’s the pitching and the torque of landing on that leg that gets it upset. I think that the hitting doesn’t do that, so we’re trying to give it as much time as possible.” The manager’s comments highlight that the injury is tied to the stress of pitching rather than batting activities.

Statistical Impact While On the Mound

This season Ohtani has appeared in 14 starts, posting a 1.79 ERA over 85.2 innings pitched and racking up 95 strikeouts. His effectiveness on the hill has been a cornerstone of the Dodgers’ rotation, despite the limited number of outings. The numbers illustrate how valuable his presence is when healthy, and they underscore the loss to the team’s pitching staff.

Replacement Options for the Rotation

Justin Wrobleski has been tabbed to fill in for Ohtani in the final game of the Phillies series, providing an immediate boost to the rotation. Meanwhile, two‑time Cy Young winner Blake Snell is nearing a return after completing a rehab assignment with Triple‑A Oklahoma City. The Dodgers hope Snell’s soon‑to‑be‑activated presence, combined with Ohtani’s eventual return, will stabilize the bullpen and rotation.

What the Absence Means for the Dodgers

Although Los Angeles possesses enough talent to plug the gap temporarily, Ohtani’s two‑way production remains difficult to replicate. His ability to both hit and pitch at an elite level has set a high standard that depth alone cannot match. The organization will likely rely on its internal rotation depth while watching for Ohtani to overcome the knee issue and resume his dual contribution.