The Los Angeles Dodgers are officially benching Shohei Ohtani from the mound for their massive post-All-Star series against the New York Yankees. This isn't just a minor lineup tweak, folks, this is the biggest name in baseball sitting out a pivotal pitching slot, and it's all because of lingering concerns about his left knee. Talk about a bombshell right after the break!
Yankees Series Just Got Real, But Ohtani's Arm Stays Down
We're talking about a series here that brings the Dodgers back to Yankee Stadium for the first time since the 2024 World Series. You know that's going to be electric, a high level of baseball action that fans have been craving. Naturally, with a matchup this high-profile, everyone's been watching Shohei Ohtani's status like a hawk. The guy just isn't totally healthy, even after two weeks of rest and treatment over the All-Star break. While he ended the pre-break season on a high note as a hitter, crushing multiple leadoff home runs, it's his arm that's got everyone biting their nails. The Dodgers just flat out decided he won't be pitching against the Yankees, and that's a tough pill for any fan to swallow when you want to see your star at full power.That Lingering Knee Soreness Is No Joke
So, what's actually going on with Ohtani's knee? This isn't some new tweak. He failed to make his last scheduled start on Friday before the break due to this same nagging left knee soreness. And here's the kicker, the source says this pain gets "triggered after a pitching start." Think about this: Ohtani lands on that left knee over 100 times every single time he makes a pitching start! And it's not just the game day either, he's throwing multiple bullpen sessions every week, putting more and more stress on it. Rather than push him and risk something worse, the Dodgers played it smart. They let him hit only during that final series before the break, and then he made the call to skip the All-Star game entirely. Smart move, right? He used that time to get the knee drained and get some much needed rest. Manager Roberts pretty much confirmed it before the break too, saying, "He's been managing this quite well, the knee." Roberts went on to explain they wanted to be proactive, drain it, manage it, and ensure he wasn't throwing 100 pitches when they had a good pitching spot and a break coming. It just lined up perfectly for everyone.So, When Does The Arm Get Back In The Game?
Even with the rest and drainage, the Dodgers are playing it super cautious. They want to continue managing that knee. So, while we won't see him on the mound against the Yankees, don't despair! The expectation is that Ohtani's next pitching start will likely come when LA squares off against the Philadelphia Phillies. That series runs from Monday to Wednesday, so we're talking about just a few more days until we (hopefully!) see him back out there. It's a waiting game, but one worth watching closely.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.