Ohtani's Knee: Mechanics Link?
Experts Link Shohei Ohtani's Knee Discomfort to Pitching Mechanics Amid Missed Starts
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Shohei Ohtani has not pitched since July 3, and the Dodgers have no clear timeline for his return. The two-way superstar is dealing with left knee irritation tied to cartilage and joint issues, according to Buffalo News. He has now missed at least two consecutive starts, raising alarm bells across baseball.
The knee trouble has already taken a toll on the mound. Ohtani's ERA had been a stunning 1.06 before the injury emerged roughly six weeks ago, according to Waco Tribune. Since then, his numbers have slipped and his availability is uncertain — a nightmare scenario for a Dodgers team counting on him as one of baseball's best pitchers.
How a Knee Problem Quietly Derailed Ohtani's Season
The knee issues crept up on Ohtani about six weeks ago, according to Pantagraph. At first, the discomfort did not keep him off the mound. But over time, it started affecting how he moved and threw. The Dodgers have described the problem as cartilage and joint irritation in his left knee — not a muscle strain or ligament tear, but still serious enough to shut him down.
Before the injury, Ohtani looked like he was having the best pitching season of his career. A 1.06 ERA is nearly untouchable at the major league level. His absence from the rotation is a significant blow, especially for a team with World Series expectations, according to Rapid City Journal.
Experts Suspect Flawed Pitching Mechanics Are the Culprit
Two orthopedic surgeons and a pitching mechanics expert weighed in on what may be causing Ohtani's knee trouble. Their leading theory: he may have changed his delivery to compensate for something, and that adjustment put extra stress on his knee. Small mechanical changes can quietly damage joints over weeks, according to Greensboro. Glenn Fleisig, director of biomechanics research at the American Sports Medicine Institute, said such adjustments "can lead to unintended consequences."
Matthew Matava, an orthopedic surgeon for the St. Louis Blues and president of the NFL Physician Society, also commented on the injury. Pitchers generate enormous force through their lower body with every throw. The left knee, in particular, absorbs a huge load during the landing phase of a pitch. If Ohtani's mechanics shifted even slightly, that knee would take the brunt of it, according to Dothan Eagle.
Cartilage Damage Is Tricky — Here Is Why
Cartilage does not heal the way muscles do. It has very little blood supply, which means the body struggles to repair it on its own. This is what makes knee cartilage issues so tricky for athletes. Rest can reduce inflammation, but it does not always fix the root problem, according to WCF Courier.
Doctors typically treat cartilage irritation with rest, physical therapy, and sometimes injections. Surgery is usually a last resort. For Ohtani, the goal right now appears to be managing the pain well enough so he can pitch again this season. But there is no guarantee that happens soon, according to Journal Now.
What the Dodgers Risk If Ohtani Stays Sidelined
Los Angeles signed Ohtani to a record $700 million contract last offseason. They built their pitching plans around him. Losing him for an extended stretch is not just a health story — it is a roster crisis. The Dodgers need their rotation to hold up through October, and Ohtani was supposed to be the anchor, according to Channel 3000.
Experts say the biggest risk is Ohtani returning too soon and making the knee worse. Pitching through cartilage pain can lead to longer-term damage that shortens careers. For now, the Dodgers and Ohtani face a difficult choice: push him back quickly or protect him for the long haul, according to Beatrice Daily Sun.
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