Dodgers' Ohtani exits early with left knee inflammation

Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani left Thursday's game in the seventh inning after developing left knee inflammation. The team removed him as a precaution after he felt discomfort on the bases during a win.

Injury details and team response Manager Dave Roberts said the issue appeared more related to the hamstring than the knee. Roberts described the decision as proactive, noting Ohtani had pitched 6 2/3 innings the previous night. He added that he felt good about Ohtani being available for the series opener Friday in Chicago.

Medical history Ohtani underwent season-ending surgery in September 2019 to address bipartite patella in his left knee. The condition occurs when the bones of the kneecap do not fuse at birth and is usually asymptomatic. Ohtani first learned of the condition before the 2019 season, and discomfort developed later that year while increasing his pitching workload.

Since signing with the Dodgers at the start of 2024, Ohtani has not missed time on the injured list. His only significant injury in that period was a torn labrum in his shoulder sustained on a slide in the World Series, which required an offseason procedure before 2025.

Ohtani's last stint on the injured list occurred at the end of the 2023 season after an oblique injury. As of Thursday night, the Dodgers remained hopeful that the latest knee problem would prove temporary. Ohtani is 31 years old.