PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani will be the designated hitter for at least this weekend’s series against the New York Yankees after fluid was removed from his left knee.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Ohtani underwent a procedure Tuesday to ease pain after Sunday’s game and that the four-time MVP will take a few days off before the second half of the season. Roberts added that the star didn’t get the chance.
Los Angeles, the defending two-time World Series champions, opens the second half Friday with the start of a three-game series at Yankee Stadium.
“He’ll be in the lineup,” Roberts said before leading the National League in the All-Star Game.
Ohtani is hitting .293 with 22 home runs and 58 RBIs while going 8-2 with a 1.79 ERA and 95 strikeouts in 85 2/3 innings over 14 starts. The Japanese missed the All-Star Game on Tuesday.
Ohtani last pitched on July 3. It’s still unclear whether he’ll pitch against the Yankees.
“We haven’t decided that yet,” Roberts said.