Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani left Thursday’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates with left knee inflammation.
Santiago Espinal pinch-hit for Ohtani in the top of the seventh inning with L.A. holding a 7-4 lead. Ohtani was having a great day at the plate, going 2-for-2 with a homer, two walks, and two runs scored prior to being removed.
Following his team’s 8-6 win, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters that Ohtani felt “discomfort” in the back of his left knee while running the bases earlier in the game and was taken out as a precaution, according to Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register. He underwent left knee surgery in September 2019 while a member of the Los Angeles Angels.
Roberts said that the Dodgers are optimistic about their star’s prognosis overall, and described his level of concern as “not high,” according to Jack Harris of the California Post. The skipper said he believes Ohtani may be able to play Friday in Chicago, but will see how his superstar feels before making any decisions.
“Just wanted to be smart and not push it,” Roberts said, per Maddie Lee of the Los Angeles Times. “So I feel good about him being in there tomorrow. But obviously with the travel tonight, we’ll just kind of see how he comes in.”
It’s been another stellar season on both sides of the ball for the four-time MVP. Ohtani’s slashing .305/.421/.543 with 13 homers, 40 RBIs, and six steals over 298 plate appearances, while also sporting a 1.06 ERA and 0.84 WHIP with 73 strikeouts across 11 starts as a pitcher.
Dodgers starter Justin Wrobleski was also hurt earlier in the game. Wrobleski exited because of a right hamstring contusion sustained when he was hit by a comebacker, then tripped while covering first base moments later. Like with Ohtani, Roberts expressed confidence that Wrobleski, who’s in the midst of a breakout season, will be able to make his next start on schedule, according to Harris.
The first-place Dodgers can ill afford for anyone else on the team to get hurt. L.A. currently has 15 players on the injured list, including slugger Teoscar Hernández, two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell, and star closer Edwin Díaz. Catcher Will Smith was placed on the IL with neck inflammation prior to Thursday’s game.
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