​Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani is receiving treatment for his left knee after a period of significant discomfort prompted the team to exercise caution and pull him from his most recent scheduled start before the All-Star break. Ohtani has long dealt with knee-related issues, stemming from a congenital bipartite patella that led to knee surgery in 2019. While the surgery was intended to resolve problems connected to the condition, Ohtani has recently experienced inflammation and irritation in the same knee, signaling that the left knee remains susceptible despite prior intervention.
This time, the plan does not call for a full operation. Instead, the Dodgers have opted for targeted treatment aimed at addressing the knee and enabling Ohtani to return to the mound as soon as possible. Following Sunday’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Ohtani will have fluid drained from the knee to reduce swelling and pressure, followed by a pain-relieving injection to facilitate a smoother recovery trajectory and to help him regain his usual performance level once the All-Star break concludes.
Manager Dave Roberts has emphasized that Ohtani has been managing the knee effectively to this point. The Dodgers’ approach is to be proactive, using drainage and other measures as needed during the break to position Ohtani to resume his regular workload and maintain his rhythm when the team returns to play. “He’s been managing this quite well, the knee,” Roberts said. “So if there’s a chance that we could kind of be proactive and get it drained and do whatever we need to do to try to manage it, along with the rest for the All-Star break, we were going to do that.”
Even though Ohtani earned a spot in the All-Star Game, he will not participate and will not travel with the team. The plan is for him to get right back to throwing on a regular schedule after the All-Star break, rather than attempting to compete in games immediately. “The goal is to be able to throw according to regular schedule,” Ohtani said. “Although I could’ve started today, it would’ve still been pushing the envelope a little bit. But my every intention is to use the off days to make sure I’m in a good place to be able to be in the rotation.”
As the season progresses toward the postseason, the Dodgers are expected to exercise caution with Ohtani’s workload. For a player who logs frequent, high-level contributions, a prudent approach to his usage becomes a necessary part of team strategy. “I think we all know with where we’re at, who he is as a player, if there are opportunities to be extra cautious and mindful, it’s just prudent,” the Dodgers’ leadership has indicated. The priority remains keeping Ohtani healthy and productive for the stretch run, while balancing the realities of a demanding schedule and the looming postseason.
Ohtani’s injury history, combined with the demanding nature of his two-way role, underscores the need for careful management of his workload. The Dodgers are expected to continue monitoring the left knee closely, employing a combination of drainage, injections, rest, and gradual ramp-up to pitching to maximize his longevity and effectiveness for the rest of the season. With the All-Star break serving as a natural interval for recovery, the team aims to position Ohtani to rejoin the rotation in a dependable rhythm, ready to contribute to a postseason push.
Fans should anticipate ongoing updates on Ohtani’s knee as the Dodgers navigate the balance between his durability and their aspirations for a deep playoff run. The organization’s plan reflects a broader philosophy about player health: preserve the athlete’s long-term value by prioritizing smart, strategic medical interventions and workload management, especially for a player of Ohtani’s caliber and versatility. As always, the Dodgers’ medical and coaching staff remain focused on optimizing performance while safeguarding against recurrence, with the ultimate objective of having Ohtani back to his peak form when it matters most.