Shohei Ohtani Scratched From Wednesday Start, Won't Pitch For "Some Time"

Key Points:

• Shohei Ohtani will not pitch in his scheduled start against the Phillies due to ongoing left knee issues, though he will continue as the Dodgers' designated hitter; there is no clear timeline for his return to pitching.
• Dodgers manager Dave Roberts emphasized the decision is precautionary, prioritizing Ohtani's long-term health as the team is comfortably positioned to win the NL West.
• Ohtani last pitched on July 3 and has shown some decline in performance, possibly linked to his knee irritation; he has been managed carefully throughout the season following UCL surgery in 2024.
• Despite Ohtani's pitching setback, his offensive production remains strong, as evidenced by his two hits in a recent game against the Yankees.
• The Dodgers have considerable pitching depth to compensate for Ohtani’s absence on the mound and injured starters Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow, and may consider acquiring additional pitching help before the August trade deadline.