Shohei Ohtani disclosed at a Los Angeles Dodgers press conference on July 4, 2026 that he was removed from the game as a pinch hitter due to discomfort in his right biceps.
Ohtani said during the press conference that the discomfort was felt during his swing rather than while pitching. "Pitching was completely pain-free," he stated, adding that he pitched six innings and left the team with a chance to win. He described the outing as a game with both good and bad elements, noting that the first inning was rough as he allowed runs early.
Ohtani noted that a similar right biceps issue had surfaced about one to two months prior during practice and resolved relatively quickly at that time. He also acknowledged dealing with a left knee issue that emerged in June, which has affected his play throughout the first half of the 2026 season. "I am not performing at 100%," he said, "but I am satisfied that I have continued to play and contribute." He added that the feeling is "not one of running at full speed" during the 2026 season, yet assessed his overall contribution as so-so and remained focused on the second half.
Regarding his availability going forward, Ohtani deferred the playing decision to the Dodgers manager. "Whether I play tomorrow is the manager's decision," he explained, adding that he would monitor his condition through July 5, 2026. He also expressed willingness to follow the manager's direction on any potential rest around the break, noting, "If I am told to rest, that is one option I would comply with."
Ohtani said he always wants to play whenever he is able, while acknowledging that perfect physical condition is not always possible. He stated his goal is to get his body in the best possible shape for the second half of the 2026 season and to produce results through the break. Ohtani also mentioned that the Dodgers hold a significant lead within their division, which he said gives the team some flexibility in managing his workload.