PHILADELPHIA (SA) — Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani is expected to remain in the lineup as a designated hitter for this weekend’s series against the New York Yankees after undergoing a minor knee procedure.
Manager Dave Roberts said Tuesday that Ohtani had fluid drained from his left knee following discomfort that surfaced after Sunday’s game. The procedure was described as precautionary, and Roberts added that no injection was administered. Ohtani is taking several days off during the All-Star break to recover.
“He’ll be in there,” an ESPN report quoted Roberts as saying while preparing to manage the National League in the All-Star Game.
The Dodgers open the second half of the season Friday with a three-game set at Yankee Stadium.
Ohtani, a four-time MVP, has delivered another standout campaign, hitting .293 with 22 home runs and 58 RBIs. On the mound, he is 8-2 with a 1.79 ERA and 95 strikeouts across 85 2/3 innings in 14 starts.
He was previously ruled out of Tuesday’s All-Star Game and has not pitched since July 3. His availability to start during the Yankees series remains uncertain.
“We haven’t made that call yet,” Roberts said, according to an ESPN report.