Originally published by DodgerBlue.com
When the Los Angeles Dodgers announced Shohei Ohtani was scratched from his pitching start on July 10, they also noted he would not play in the All-Star Game due to planned “interventions” on his troublesome left knee.
Ohtani remained in the Dodgers’ lineup as their designated hitter that night and after the game said he expected to have the left knee drained following the conclusion of the weekend series against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Manager Dave Roberts added the two-way start was likely going to receive a cortisone injection as well.
Shohei Ohtani received injection
When speaking prior to the start of their series against the New York Yankees, Roberts revealed Ohtani did not end up having his left knee drained.
“He got an Orthovisc injection, which is like a lubricant,” Roberts explained on SportsNet LA. “So he got a lubricant in his knee. That was what took place that Sunday.”
Orthovisc is injected into a joint to provide pain relief and shock absorption that is caused by osteoarthritis (commonly known as arthritis).
“It gives him some relief in his knee, which we were hoping to get. And then the four days off from activity gets it all to settle in,” Roberts added.
Ohtani has been bothered by left knee irritation since June 11, when he was removed early from a close game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. He was not in the lineup the next day but returned for the final two games of the Dodgers’ road trip.
Ohtani also was in the lineup on Friday night as the Dodgers began a nine-game road trip coming out of the All-Star break. He’s expected to continue hitting and is scheduled to make a pitching start against the Philadelphia Phillies in the series finale on Wednesday.
Should that come to fruition, it will mark Ohtani’s first time pitching since July 3. His next start was strategically lined up before an off day in the Dodgers’ schedule, which is what the team has shown a preference for in the past as a means of managing his workload.
That will remain a point of emphasis throughout the second half as the Dodgers look to ensure Ohtani is in as good of physical condition possible heading into the postseason. That could require some adjustments with his pitching schedule given Ohtani has said that is when he feels discomfort in the left knee.
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