Dodgers Not Ruling Out Shohei Ohtani Pitching In Postseason Despite Multiple Injuries
· Yahoo Sports
Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani received an Orthovisc shot in his left knee during the All-Star break and has not been in the rotation since.
Ohtani has been hitting, and he is continuing to show why he is one of the best hitters in baseball. However, he is having a great year on the mound, and the Dodgers will want him healthy for October. He threw a 30-pitch bullpen last week, but has been shut down again after some more knee soreness. Dave Roberts also revealed that he is dealing with an issue in his right biceps, according to MLB.com's Max Ralph.
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Roberts noted that the biceps issue popped up in his last start on July 3, and that it is a result of overcompensation for the knee.
"Trying to mitigate that, we stopped the throwing, stopped the bullpens -- hopefully, No. 1, take care of the knee and then not have him try to create velocity with the arm that's not 100%," Roberts said.
As much as the Dodgers want to win now and complete a three-peat, they know that Ohtani is under contract for years to come, and they are interested in building a dynasty that extends beyond just three seasons. They are not going to make any hasty decisions or be impatient with their superstar player. However, Roberts did not rule out a return to the mound.
"Everything that I've heard, that's not the option," Roberts said Tuesday when asked if the team would rule Ohtani out from pitching in October. "I guess anything's possible, but for me, it's highly unlikely. ... If the knee continues to get better and the arm continues to feel better, I would expect him to pitch. I'm trying to give him the best opportunity to be as healthy as possible so he can help us on both ends of the baseball."
Ohtani will continue to hit, and Roberts noted that he is very valuable to the team even as a one-way player.
"If we look at him and his value for our ballclub, we need him in the lineup," Roberts said. "The swing, the running of the bases, the knee, the arm -- it doesn't compromise that. In talking to Shohei and the training staff, that's where we're at."
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