Dodgers change Shohei Ohtanis pitching plans as knee injury concerns grow

NEW YORK — Shohei Ohtani’s knee is still bothering him.And now, exactly when he will return to the mound for the Dodgers is unclear.On Sunday, manager Dave Roberts said Ohtani will not make a pitching start on Wednesday as initially expected, after the two-way star continued to feel discomfort in his bothersome left knee during catch play this weekend.Roberts said the team didn’t know when Ohtani — who will continue to DH in the Dodgers’ lineup — would pitch again but suggested “that it’s going to be some time” before he is back on the bump.“His knee, we just want to continue to give it the best chance to kind of get into a good spot,” Roberts said.“And as he said, as we feel, it’s the pitching and the torque of landing on that leg that kind of gets it upset.”Ohtani has not made a pitching start for the Dodgers since July 3, while continuing to battle a knee problem that first surfaced in mid-June.The two-way star had his final start before the All-Star break last Friday scratched, then skipped All-Star festivities to receive a lubricant injection in his knee last Sunday. The team had hoped that treatment would allow the 32-year-old to resume pitching duties once the second half began. But now, Ohtani’s status remains shrouded in even more uncertainty.Roberts tried to downplay bigger-picture concerns over Ohtani’s knee issue.

He said he still fully expected the four-time MVP to pitch again this year.He described Ohtani’s current layoff as more of a precaution, thanks to “where we’re at and how we’ve put ourselves in a good spot” in the standings.“Could he probably do it? Sure,” Roberts said.

“But right now, the benefits just don’t seem to outweigh the cost at this time of the season.I think we still have plenty of time to get him to a good spot to then pitch.”...