Two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani was not in the Los Angeles Dodgers starting lineup for Friday’s series opener against the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field.
Ohtani was lifted for a pinch hitter in the seventh inning of Thursday night’s 8-6 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates with left knee inflammation. Manager Dave Roberts downplayed the injury afterward, saying the move was precautionary because the Dodgers did not want to risk Ohtani being injured further.
Roberts also said he was optimistic Ohtani would be ready to face the Sox on Friday in the matchup of division leaders, but Santiago Espinal was listed as the team’s designated hitter in place of the slugger.
“We tried to be smart about it and get him out of the game,” Roberts said. “He told the trainer that he felt a little something behind his knee and I just didn’t see any sense in risking it.”
The reigning NL MVP hit his 13th home run of the season, a solo shot, in the third inning Thursday. He also had a single and walked twice, reaching base in all four of his plate appearances.
Ohtani was not made available to the media after the game. He is hitting .305 with 40 RBIs. As a pitcher, he is 6-2 with a 1.06 ERA and 73 strikeouts in 67 2/3 innings.
