Dodgers' Ohtani exits with left knee inflammation

Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani left Thursday night’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates due to left knee inflammation, casting a shadow over the team’s 8-6 victory at PNC Park. The injury occurred during the seventh inning, when Ohtani was replaced by pinch-hitter Santiago Espinal.

The reigning National League MVP was having a productive night before his exit, reaching base in all four plate appearances. He hit a solo home run in the third inning, his 13th of the season, and also singled and walked twice, scoring a run. The team announced the injury as left knee inflammation but did not specify its severity or when the discomfort began.

Ohtani has a history with his left knee, having undergone surgery in September 2019 to address a bipartite patella, a congenital condition where the kneecap is comprised of two separate bones. He has managed flare-ups throughout his career, but this season he had appeared in 63 of the Dodgers' first 69 games as a hitter and returned to a full workload as a starting pitcher. Thursday marked the first time in over a month he played the day after a pitching start, a decision manager Dave Roberts had indicated was influenced by a recent off-day.