Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed that Shohei Ohtani would bypass a scheduled pitching start in order to have fluid drained from his knee before the All-Star break. Roberts indicated he learned of the decision the morning prior, explaining that the medical staff and Ohtani had been managing the knee carefully over the course of the first half, and that the timing presented a logical opportunity to address the issue proactively rather than risk further aggravation.
Roberts made clear that the procedure is not expected to alter Ohtani's role as a pitcher in the second half of the season. While the manager acknowledged uncertainty about exactly which day Ohtani would slot back into the rotation after the break, he stated with confidence that Ohtani would be ready to pitch once the second half begins. Roberts noted that with six pitchers available, the specific scheduling would be worked out in due course, with opponent considerations also factoring into the decision.
On the condition of the knee itself, Roberts acknowledged there had been a modest amount of continued swelling, though he emphasized it had not visibly impacted Ohtani's performance at the plate. The team had already taken the step of limiting his basestealing activity as a precautionary measure. Roberts also confirmed that Ohtani's arm is in good health and that the knee issue stems from pitching mechanics, specifically related to his front foot landing, on which Ohtani had already made minor adjustments. Roberts expressed hope that several days of rest and treatment would allow the inflammation to subside fully before the second half begins.
Roberts also addressed the decision for Ohtani to remain away from Philadelphia during the All-Star festivities, citing concerns that air travel and altitude could contribute to additional swelling in the knee. Ohtani is expected to serve as designated hitter in the three games immediately preceding the break and, assuming the draining procedure goes as planned on Sunday, Roberts expressed confidence that Ohtani would be ready to return to that role in the first series of the second half. With Yoshinobu Yamamoto lined up to start the following day, Roberts expressed comfort in managing the pitching staff through the interim using available relievers, drawing a parallel to a prior situation involving Blake Snell missing a start in Anaheim.
When asked whether Ohtani's willingness to skip the start signaled a broader prioritization of postseason readiness over individual award considerations, Roberts framed it not as a surprise but as consistent with a philosophy Ohtani had expressed throughout the year. The manager indicated that while Ohtani had been mindful of pitching milestones, nothing would take precedence over being healthy and available when the season matters most. Roberts described his own approach over the first half as one of heightened attentiveness, learning to avoid assumptions about what a two-way player can absorb and instead maintaining an ongoing dialogue with Ohtani about workload management and what options best serve both the player and the team.