Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts addressed the media on July 17, 2026, clarifying that Shohei Ohtani received an orthopedic lubricant injection in his knee rather than a fluid drain, and that Ohtani is expected to pitch Wednesday in Philadelphia.
Roberts explained the treatment and its timing at the press conference. "He got an orthopedic shot injection, which is like a lubricant. So, we got a lubricant in his knee," Roberts said, noting the injection was administered the previous Sunday as part of a four-day rest plan to let it settle. The plan calls for Ohtani to be in the lineup for three games before taking the mound in Philadelphia. Roberts added that he highly doubts Ohtani will require surgery for his knee. Roberts also noted that Ohtani has been adjusting his landing mechanics, with Ohtani explaining that landing with a more open front foot reduces torque on the left foot — a change Roberts said Ohtani has been making for the last three or four starts.
On managing Ohtani's workload in the second half of the 2026 season, Roberts stated the approach will depend on how Ohtani is feeling. "I think it's all contingent on how he is feeling," Roberts noted, adding that the team is prepared to back off on the workload. Roberts mentioned he would ideally give Ohtani a scheduled off day following each pitching start, though the schedule does not always allow for it.
Roberts also provided updates on catcher Will Smith, whose neck began flaring up right around the All-Star break. Roberts said the team had been trying to get Smith moving and doing baseball activities, but Smith had been unable to get over the hump. Smith is now taking at least a week of complete inactivity to calm the neck down. After speaking with trainer Thomas, Roberts acknowledged that Smith currently feels no pain, putting the team in a better position. Roberts stated the best-case return for Smith is sometime in August.
Regarding Edwin Díaz, Roberts explained that Díaz must demonstrate he is ready to close at the Major League level before being activated, including back-to-back outings. "He's going to be our closer. And so there's no, like, somebody behind him that potentially cost us the game," Roberts said. Roberts also consulted with Brandon Gomes over the All-Star break, who reported that Díaz's bullpen session was really good, with Díaz scheduled to pitch that evening and again on the following Sunday, and Blake Snell scheduled for Saturday. When asked how close Snell is to returning from his rehab assignment, Roberts deflected with humor, telling the reporter, "Nice try, Chuck" — a signal that Snell is not close to a return.