Dodgers delay Ohtani pitching start on July 22

Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani will not make his scheduled pitching start on Wednesday, July 22, as the team takes a cautious approach to manage lingering discomfort in his left knee. Manager Dave Roberts announced the decision on Sunday, July 19, indicating Ohtani will be shut down from pitching duties for an unspecified period, though the team expects him to return to the mound at some point this season.

The development represents a shift from earlier plans. Following the All-Star break, the Dodgers had projected Ohtani’s next start for Wednesday, either against the Tampa Bay Rays or the Philadelphia Phillies, depending on scheduling. However, Roberts said Ohtani’s knee continued to bother him during catch play this past week, prompting the team to delay his return. Ohtani last pitched on July 3.

Ohtani has been managing the knee issue since June 10, when he felt flaws in his pitching mechanics during a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The problem has primarily affected his pitching, where he lands on his left leg, while his hitting has remained largely unaffected. He was in the lineup as the designated hitter for the Dodgers' second-half opener against the New...