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The Japanese sensation Shohei Ohtani, the crown jewel of the Los Angeles Dodgers and one of the hottest names in MLB, has reignited hope among Dodgers fans after throwing a roughly 30-pitch bullpen session at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.
This was Ohtani’s first time on the mound since receiving a lubricating injection (Orthovisc) in his left knee during the All-Star break—a nagging injury that’s kept him out of the pitching rotation with no clear return date in sight.
Pitching coach Mark Prior couldn’t hide his excitement after watching Ohtani unleash his full arsenal: “He looked good. He feels good. We’ll see how he’s doing tomorrow,” Prior said, making it clear that the next step depends on how Ohtani’s knee responds to the effort.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was blunt about the physical challenge facing his superstar: “It’s a great sign because I think the grass, the flat ground, all that is fine. The arm is fine; it’s more about going downhill, landing on that front side. That’s the real test.”
The Left Knee Saga and Its Impact on the Rotation
Ohtani’s knee nightmare began back on June 11 in Pittsburgh, when his left knee started sending warning signals. While the pain didn’t stop him from raking as the designated hitter, landing on that leg while pitching became a real headache.
The torque and repeated pounding on his left leg—over 100 times per start—eventually sidelined him as a pitcher after his last official start on July 3 against the San Diego Padres. The Dodgers’ front office went with an Orthovisc injection and some rest during the All-Star break, but the discomfort just wouldn’t quit.
“Where we are right now, how we’re proceeding, I’d say it’s going to take some time. It’s not a day-to-day thing,” Roberts admitted on July 19, making it clear Ohtani’s return to the mound won’t be happening overnight.
The Japanese star’s absence has put extra pressure on the Dodgers’ rotation, which is now leaning heavily on Yoshinobu Yamamoto and scrambling to fill the gaps. Roberts himself said they won’t rush Ohtani back: “He knows his body better than anyone. If he feels ready to get back on the mound, we’ll support him. For us, it’s more important not to push or rush him.”
Ohtani Still on Fire as Designated Hitter
Despite the injury, Ohtani remains a nightmare for opposing pitchers in the batter’s box. As of July 21, he’s hitting .290 with 22 home runs and 60 RBIs—numbers that keep him among the most feared bats in MLB. The injury mainly affects his pitching, but it hasn’t slowed down his power at the plate one bit.
Prior explained that the issue is all about his pitching mechanics: “I think he’s trying to make adjustments in his delivery to execute his pitches. When he gets his mechanics right, his efficiency goes way up. That’s the goal.”
Meanwhile, Ohtani remains a fixture in the Dodgers’ lineup, bringing power and presence every time he steps up. The team has made it clear there’s no rush to get him back on the mound—they’re prioritizing his health and hoping to have him at 100% for the stretch run.
So, When Will Ohtani Pitch Again?
The million-dollar question for Dodgers and MLB fans everywhere: When will Shohei Ohtani pitch again? For now, the answer is up in the air. The coaching staff is taking it “day by day,” watching how his knee responds after each bullpen session. The July 22 bullpen was a step forward, but it doesn’t mean he’ll be back in the rotation right away.
Roberts was clear: “I can’t see him going out and throwing 100 pitches in his first outing. We have to take it step by step.” The team will monitor how his knee holds up in the coming days before making any decisions about his return to the rotation.
Ohtani’s 2026 Stats in Context
Before the injury, Ohtani was putting together a dream season as a starter: an 8-2 record, a 1.79 ERA, and 95 strikeouts in 85.2 innings. But once the knee started acting up, his numbers dipped a bit—he allowed 14 runs (12 earned) in his last 24 2/3 innings.
Even though he hasn’t pitched enough innings to qualify for the ERA title, Ohtani is still one of the most dominant arms in the league when healthy. His ability to tweak his mechanics and keep mashing as an elite hitter makes him a truly unique force in modern MLB history.
FAQ: Everything You Want to Know About Shohei Ohtani and His Injury
Why isn’t Shohei Ohtani pitching right now?
Ohtani is out of the Dodgers’ rotation due to persistent irritation in his left knee, which messes with his pitching mechanics and causes pain every time he lands after a pitch.
Can he still hit while he’s injured?
Yes! The injury mainly affects his pitching, but it doesn’t stop him from crushing it as the designated hitter. Ohtani has stayed in the Dodgers’ lineup throughout this whole ordeal.
When could he return to pitching?
No set date yet. The team is taking it “day by day” and will see how Ohtani recovers after each bullpen session before making a call.
How has his absence impacted the Dodgers’ rotation?
The rotation has had to lean more on other arms, like Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and get creative to cover for Ohtani, who was one of the most dominant starters this season.
What treatment has Ohtani received?
He got a lubricating injection (Orthovisc) in his left knee during the All-Star break and has been following a rest and rehab program under the Dodgers’ medical staff’s watchful eye.
