Dodgers' Ohtani out vs. M's with sore knee, will return Friday

Shohei Ohtani missed the Dodgers' lineup against the Seattle Mariners on Thursday night due to ongoing soreness in his left knee. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed the move was precautionary. The team expects Ohtani to return to the lineup for Friday night's series opener against the Boston Red Sox.

While Ohtani has been unable to pitch for nearly a month, this is the same knee that has previously hindered his work on the mound. Thursday's rest day was intended to prevent the soreness from becoming a larger issue. Roberts noted that Ohtani had been on base seven times over the previous two games, which likely contributed to the irritation. The team and the training staff are monitoring his condition closely to manage his availability through the remainder of the season.

Ohtani last pitched in a game on July 3. Since then, he has dealt with both knee discomfort and a right biceps issue that surfaced after he tweaked his arm during a swing. The Dodgers have skipped his scheduled pitching starts to allow for recovery, but they have not placed him on the injured list. Doctors have advised that the knee will likely require a full offseason of rest to reach complete recovery.

For now, the Dodgers are weighing the balance between immediate impact and long-term health. Roberts emphasized the importance of clear communication with Ohtani, noting that few players feel one hundred percent at this stage of the schedule. The team remains hopeful that Ohtani will resume playing catch as early as this weekend, depending on how the knee responds to the brief rest.