world
Dodgers star exits early with knee inflammation in win
Shohei Ohtani left Thursday's game against the Pirates with left knee inflammation after reaching base four times. Manager Dave Roberts called the decision precautionary and said Ohtani could return Friday.
Japan TimesAudio version
Tap play to generate a narrated version.
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani left Thursday's 8-6 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates with left knee inflammation after reaching base four times and hitting his second home run in as many games. Manager Dave Roberts said the move was precautionary and expressed low concern about the injury.
"Not high," Roberts said when asked about his concern level with the four-time MVP. "Just wanted to be smart and not push it.
timeline Roberts said he believed the discomfort began during a stolen-base attempt in the fourth inning. Ohtani had walked to lead off the first, hit a solo home run in the third, singled in the fourth, and walked again in the fifth before being removed in the seventh.
The team decided to act proactively after trainers reported discomfort in the back of the leg near the knee-hamstring junction around the sixth inning. Santiago Espinal pinch-hit for Ohtani in the seventh.
Second injury sidelines starter Starting pitcher Justin Wrobleski also left the game in the fifth inning after a 96.2 mph comebacker struck his right leg. The team announced he suffered a right hamstring contusion. Roberts said he was "very, very confident" Wrobleski would make his next start. "I'll get some treatment, get the swelling to go down and I'll be good to go," Wrobleski said.
Performance and next steps Ohtani was playing the day after pitching 6 2/3 innings on Wednesday, the first time in more than a month he had appeared in back-to-back games. Roberts said the team would monitor how Ohtani responds to running and swinging before deciding on his status for Friday's series opener in Chicago.
"We'll just kind of see how he comes in [tomorrow]," Roberts said. " Freddie Freeman, who drove in Ohtani with a single in the fourth, said after the game, "He's the best player in the world, [so] hopefully he's okay. I have no idea about anything. I just saw Santiago go up there.
" The Dodgers secured their first series win at the Pirates' home field since 2021 despite the two early exits.
