Shohei Ohtani's Knee Is 'Completely Dissipated', But the Dodgers' Early Game Day Problem Is Getting Hard to Ignore

Alright, Emerald City, get ready for some baseball drama! You know we always got an eye on the biggest stories around MLB, and right now, all eyes are on Shohei Ohtani. The guy is officially stepping back onto the mound for the Dodgers today against the Tampa Bay Rays! After a super scary moment last week where he left a game with knee inflammation, manager Dave Roberts just gave us the update we wanted to hear: the swelling is "completely dissipated." But hold up, don't cheer just yet. This comeback start ain't gonna be easy, and Roberts himself dropped some truth bombs about why we should all be watching extra close.

Roberts Says The Knee Is Clear, But We're Still Watching

Last Thursday was a gut punch for Dodgers fans, and frankly, anyone who loves baseball. Ohtani had to bail out of his game in Pittsburgh with left knee inflammation. It was enough to make him miss Friday's game against the White Sox in Chicago. Thankfully, he was back in the lineup for Saturday's game, but this start today against the Rays is his first time back on the bump since that scare. Roberts sounded relieved on Tuesday, telling reporters the swelling in Ohtani's knee had "completely dissipated." He saw the guy doing catch-play, getting his "touchy-feely deal" done from the mound. Roberts even said, "Looks good, feels good. Look forward to him making a start tomorrow." Before that last ro

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ugh outing, Ohtani was rocking a 6-2 record with a ridiculous 1.06 ERA. If that knee is truly good to go, his form usually speaks for itself.

Rough Last Start and Early Game Jitters: The Real Story Here

Here's where it gets interesting, and frankly, a little concerning. Today's game against the Rays is an early afternoon start. And you know Ohtani, he likes his sleep! Roberts didn't mince words, calling the early start "certainly not ideal," but admitting "the calendar is the calendar." He added, "He'll get his rest and do what he can to post tomorrow. … Anyone that has anything that has a potential red flag, we'll certainly be watching closely." That sounds like a manager who knows his star is a competitor, but also understands the risks. Oh, and adding to the pressure, Roberts was undecided on whether Ohtani will even bat today. Don't forget, in his last pitching start last Wednesday, Ohtani gave up four runs, three of them earned, in just 6 2/3 innings, and the Dodgers ended up losing to Pittsburgh 9-8. That's not the Ohtani we're used to seeing. Look, we bleed green and blue here in the Emerald City, but when a player like Ohtani takes the mound, you bet we're paying attention. Can he dominate like his 6-2, 1.06 ERA suggests, or will the early start and the lingering questions about his bat throw him off? This isn't just another game, it's a critical test for the game's biggest star. We'll be watching every pitch and every play to see how this story unfolds. Go M's! Go Seattle Sports!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.