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Ohtani’s Knee Improves, But New Biceps Setback Revealed
Dodgers Get Healthier, But Shohei Ohtani’s Pitching Remains a Mystery
The Big Picture: LA Is Rolling, and Help Is on the Way
Imagine your favorite video game character finally getting all their power-ups back. That’s basically the Los Angeles Dodgers right now. They already have the best record in baseball (tied with one other team) and the biggest lead in their division. And now? Their "injured list" is shrinking fast.
Who’s Coming Back?
Here’s the good news rolling in this week:
- Enrique Hernández – The team’s super-utility player (he plays everywhere) was activated Tuesday.
- Edwin Díaz – Their star closer (the pitcher who finishes games) returns Wednesday.
- Blake Snell – A $182 million starting pitcher who’s barely played this year? He could be back next week.
- Will Smith – The everyday catcher started baseball activities (light throwing, running, hitting) – a huge step forward from his neck injury.
Important Point: Getting these four players back is like adding an entire All-Star team to a roster that was already winning almost every night.
The Elephant in the Room: Shohei Ohtani
While everyone else is healing, Shohei Ohtani – the two-way superstar who hits and pitches – is stuck in a holding pattern.
What’s Wrong?
| Issue | Details |
|---|---|
| Left Knee | Ongoing discomfort; scratched from start July 22 |
| Right Biceps | Flared up again while throwing off the mound July 22 |
| Last Game Pitched | July 3 (threw 110 pitches, then hurt biceps on a swing) |
| Last Played Catch | Six days ago (as of article date) |
What Ohtani Said
"The knee is getting better… but I do have to focus on the hitting side, the position-player side of things. That’s what I have to kind of deal with."
He also noted: "It is still July. I think the conversations would be a little different if we’re in August or September."
Translation: No need to rush. The playoffs are months away.
What Manager Dave Roberts Said
"We need him in the lineup. The swing, the running of the bases — the knee, the arm doesn’t compromise that."
Bottom line: The Dodgers value Ohtani’s bat and legs every single day. Pitching? That’s a bonus – but only if he’s 100%.
The Rest of the Rotation: Reinforcements Arriving
While Ohtani sorts things out, the starting rotation is getting deep:
- Blake Snell – Final rehab start Wednesday, then likely joins rotation.
- Tyler Glasnow – Out since early May with back spasms; faces hitters Wednesday, then heads to rehab assignment.
- Yoshinobu Yamamoto – Already anchoring the rotation.
- Young Guns – Justin Wrobleski, Roki Sasaki, Emmet Sheehan holding it down.
Important Point: Ohtani doesn’t count against the 13-pitcher roster limit. So he could return as an "opener" (pitch 1-2 innings) without needing a full buildup – just like he did last year after elbow surgery.
Trade Deadline Buzz: Tarik Skubal?
- Rumor: Dodgers interested in Tarik Skubal (two-time Cy Young winner) if Tigers trade him.
- Team Stance: Officials privately downplay interest.
- Rival Execs: Still think LA is the favorite to land him – deep farm system, "win now" mode, rotation questions.
- Deadline: Monday (July 29 in article context).
Will Ohtani Pitch in the Playoffs?
Dave Roberts:
"Everything that I’ve heard, that’s not the option… I would expect him to pitch. But again, this is something probably more for Shohei or the training staff to try to answer."
Translation: Plan A is he pitches. Plan B? We’ll cross that bridge if we have to.
Summary: What You Need to Know
| Good News | Still Unclear |
|---|---|
| Best record in MLB | When (or if) Ohtani pitches again |
| 4 key players returning this week | Exact timeline for Snell/Glasnow |
| Rotation getting very deep | Trade deadline moves |
| Ohtani hitting/running great | Playoff pitching role |
The Dodgers are winning and getting healthier. The only real question mark? Whether the greatest two-way player in history will toe the rubber again this year.
FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered
1. Why does Ohtani’s knee affect his pitching but not his hitting?
Pitching puts massive force on the landing leg (left knee for a righty). Hitting and running? Much less stress. So he can mash homers and steal bases while his knee isn’t ready for the mound.
2. What’s an "opener" and why does it matter for Ohtani?
An opener pitches only the 1st inning (maybe 2nd). It lets Ohtani pitch sooner without building up to 100 pitches. He did this last September after elbow surgery.
3. Are the Dodgers actually going to trade for Tarik Skubal?
Officially: "Not that interested."
Unofficially: Every rival GM thinks LA will get him. They have the prospects, the need, and the "win now" urgency.
4. If Ohtani doesn’t pitch, are the Dodgers still World Series favorites?
Yes. Their lineup is historic, their bullpen gets Díaz back, and their rotation (Yamamoto, Snell, Glasnow, young arms) is playoff-ready. Ohtani pitching is a luxury, not a necessity.
5. When will we know more about Ohtani’s pitching future?
Roberts said: "If the knee continued to get better, the arm continues to feel better, I would expect him to pitch."
Watch for: Bullpen sessions → Rehab start → Real game. Each step = progress.
Article based on ESPN reporting by Alden Gonzalez, July 28, 2026.
