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Shohei Ohtani Blames Pitching Mechanics for Recent Knee Swelling, Returns to Lineup
Shohei Ohtani re‑entered the Los Angeles Dodgers’ lineup on Saturday, striking a leadoff home run in his first game back after a brief knee injury that had sidelined him the previous day. The two‑way star had been absent from the starting rotation since a left‑knee swelling incident on Thursday night.
The problem began after Ohtani’s Wednesday start against the Pittsburgh Pirates, when he threw 102 pitches and yielded a season‑high four runs, three of them earned. The next day, while playing in Chicago against the White Sox, he left the game with swelling in the back of his left knee. Imaging performed on Friday, according to the Dodgers’ medical staff, revealed no structural damage.
In a post‑game interview, Ohtani said the swelling likely stemmed from “flawed pitching mechanics” during his Wednesday outing. He explained that the way he threw was not optimal and that the knee was affected the following day. The player added that he felt good in the morning and was confident he could stay healthy.
Manager Dave Roberts had previously stated that the cause of the knee injury was unknown, suggesting it might have occurred while Ohtani was running the bases on Thursday night. Roberts also said the Dodgers were not planning to change Ohtani’s usage plan and that the injury was unrelated to his 2019 knee surgery.
Ohtani’s knee history dates back to 2019, when a congenital condition called bipartite patella flared up during a pitching progression after Tommy John surgery. The condition, in which the kneecap does not fuse into a single bone, required surgery in September of that year.
The Dodgers’ front office confirmed that Ohtani’s knee problem appears to be behind him for the moment. He tested the knee in a flat‑ground catch drill on Saturday morning and was cleared to play. He will resume pitching on Wednesday, his next scheduled start, after a few days of recovery.
Ohtani’s return is significant for the Dodgers’ 2026 campaign. The player, who signed a 10‑year, $700 million contract with the franchise in 2024, has been a key contributor both as a hitter and a pitcher. He was named the National League MVP in 2024 and has led the league in home runs in multiple seasons.
The Dodgers’ coaching staff will monitor Ohtani’s knee closely as he prepares for his next outing. The team’s medical staff has indicated that the knee swelling has dissipated, but the player remains cautious about potential aggravation from pitching.
Ohtani’s comments come after the Dodgers’ loss to the White Sox, in which he did not play due to discomfort. The team’s manager, Dave Roberts, expressed confidence that Ohtani would not need to miss additional games.
The Dodgers’ schedule will see Ohtani return to the mound on Wednesday, with the team hoping his knee remains stable. The player’s confidence in his recovery and the coaching staff’s assessment suggest that he will be ready for his next start.
In summary, Shohei Ohtani attributes his recent left‑knee swelling to pitching mechanics rather than base‑running incidents. Medical imaging showed no damage, and the player feels confident about his recovery. The Dodgers will keep a close eye on his knee as he prepares for his next scheduled pitching appearance.
The problem began after Ohtani’s Wednesday start against the Pittsburgh Pirates, when he threw 102 pitches and yielded a season‑high four runs, three of them earned. The next day, while playing in Chicago against the White Sox, he left the game with swelling in the back of his left knee. Imaging performed on Friday, according to the Dodgers’ medical staff, revealed no structural damage.
In a post‑game interview, Ohtani said the swelling likely stemmed from “flawed pitching mechanics” during his Wednesday outing. He explained that the way he threw was not optimal and that the knee was affected the following day. The player added that he felt good in the morning and was confident he could stay healthy.
Manager Dave Roberts had previously stated that the cause of the knee injury was unknown, suggesting it might have occurred while Ohtani was running the bases on Thursday night. Roberts also said the Dodgers were not planning to change Ohtani’s usage plan and that the injury was unrelated to his 2019 knee surgery.
Ohtani’s knee history dates back to 2019, when a congenital condition called bipartite patella flared up during a pitching progression after Tommy John surgery. The condition, in which the kneecap does not fuse into a single bone, required surgery in September of that year.
The Dodgers’ front office confirmed that Ohtani’s knee problem appears to be behind him for the moment. He tested the knee in a flat‑ground catch drill on Saturday morning and was cleared to play. He will resume pitching on Wednesday, his next scheduled start, after a few days of recovery.
Ohtani’s return is significant for the Dodgers’ 2026 campaign. The player, who signed a 10‑year, $700 million contract with the franchise in 2024, has been a key contributor both as a hitter and a pitcher. He was named the National League MVP in 2024 and has led the league in home runs in multiple seasons.
The Dodgers’ coaching staff will monitor Ohtani’s knee closely as he prepares for his next outing. The team’s medical staff has indicated that the knee swelling has dissipated, but the player remains cautious about potential aggravation from pitching.
Ohtani’s comments come after the Dodgers’ loss to the White Sox, in which he did not play due to discomfort. The team’s manager, Dave Roberts, expressed confidence that Ohtani would not need to miss additional games.
The Dodgers’ schedule will see Ohtani return to the mound on Wednesday, with the team hoping his knee remains stable. The player’s confidence in his recovery and the coaching staff’s assessment suggest that he will be ready for his next start.
In summary, Shohei Ohtani attributes his recent left‑knee swelling to pitching mechanics rather than base‑running incidents. Medical imaging showed no damage, and the player feels confident about his recovery. The Dodgers will keep a close eye on his knee as he prepares for his next scheduled pitching appearance.
