Pitcher reports kneecap discomfort ahead of All-Star break

A pitcher said discomfort in his surgically repaired left kneecap led him to skip his final scheduled start before the All-Star break. The discomfort centers in the kneecap that underwent surgery seven years earlier for a congenital condition called bipartite patella.

The pitcher said the issue has flared during or after his pitching appearances and limits how far he can straighten or bend the knee. He added that the discomfort does not affect him when batting and that he hit a home run in the first inning of Friday’s game.

Treatment plans The pitcher said he will drain the knee and receive a pain-relieving injection after Sunday’s series finale. He will skip the All-Star Game to focus on treatment. He said he could have pitched through the discomfort but chose to rest given the team’s position in the standings. The team used seven relievers in a bullpen game after the decision was made Thursday morning.

Background The pitcher underwent season-ending surgery for the kneecap condition in September 2019 while with his previous team. He spent the winter rehabilitating and batted a career-low .190 the following season. Manager Dave Roberts said the pitcher’s overall pitching schedule and workload should remain unaffected. The pitcher threw a bullpen session two days before the scratched start.