Shohei Ohtani Misses Second Straight Start, Knee Trouble Clouds Return to Pitching

Shohei Ohtani was out of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ starting lineup Friday for a second straight game, with the club describing him as day to day and manager Dave Roberts saying an injured-list stint appears unlikely for now.

The Dodgers’ official MLB.com report said Ohtani was not in the lineup for Friday’s series opener against the Washington Nationals in Los Angeles. It marked the first time this season that Ohtani had missed back-to-back starts, after also sitting out Thursday. MLB.com reported that he did not participate in baseball activities Thursday and was unavailable to pinch-hit in the ninth inning of the Dodgers’ walk-off win over the St. Louis Cardinals.

That makes the absence more significant than a routine day off. Ohtani’s availability matters not only in the middle of the batting order, but also because the Dodgers have been trying to get him back on the mound. Any interruption now affects both sides of that plan.

Roberts told MLB.com that an injured-list move is not the team’s expectation at this point, saying, “Right now, I would consider it unlikely. Unlikely, but not impossible.” Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes struck a similar tone, telling MLB.com, “I think not having Shohei in the lineup for 10 days or whatever it would be is something that we would prefer not to do. It really hasn't even been something that we've discussed.”

With Ohtani out Friday, Tommy Edman moved into the leadoff spot and Alex Call started at designated hitter.

The broader concern is that Ohtani’s physical issues have been lingering for months. His left-knee symptoms date to mid-June, and he has not pitched in a game since July 3. The Dodgers restarted his throwing program on Aug. 8, but MLB.com reported that a bullpen session last Friday did not go well, leaving his return-to-pitching timeline indefinite.

That combination — a second straight missed start as a hitter and another setback in his throwing progression — is the clearest public sign yet that the issue is affecting more than day-to-day lineup decisions. The Dodgers are still framing it as a short-term matter rather than one requiring a formal injured-list move, but Ohtani’s knee trouble has already disrupted his pitching schedule for two months.

There was no direct comment from Ohtani in Friday’s update. MLB.com reported that he has not spoken to the media since Aug. 17 and has declined multiple requests for comment.