Shohei Ohtani addressed reporters on June 17, 2026, after starting and winning a game against the Tampa Bay Rays while managing both a finger issue and a knee-related mechanical concern.
Ohtani said his overall condition was relatively good but acknowledged one bad inning, pointing specifically to a poor leadoff walk. "My every intention was to start today's game," he stated, adding that he made movement adjustments related to his knee before taking the mound. He noted the game had both good and bad moments, but that his overall feel while pitching was positive.
On the finger issue that reporters had observed, Ohtani explained that it did not particularly affect his delivery, as the location of the concern is not directly related to his mechanics. He also acknowledged that pitching at full strength is not always possible over the course of a season. "Winning under those conditions was significant," he noted, adding that having a rest day the following day helped him commit to the start rather than skip it.
Ohtani fully trusts the Los Angeles Dodgers to manage his workload, and the Dodgers control his pitching schedule—any decision to increase or reduce his starts rests with the organization. He said his most important goal is for everyone on the roster to be healthy and able to play when the postseason arrives, and that he has placed that workload management entirely in the team's hands.