LOS ANGELES (AP) — Shohei Ohtani says his right biceps is not 100% in addition to his sore left knee, and both factored into the Los Angeles Dodgers' two-way superstar not throwing a bullpen last week.
The four-time MVP hasn't pitched in a game since July 3 but has continued to play regularly as the designated hitter for Los Angeles.
“My biceps is not 100%,” Ohtani said through a translator Tuesday night while speaking with media for the first time since before the All-Star break. "Just similar issue with the knee. Do we consider pushing this? It is still July. So I think the conversation would be a little different if we’re in August or September.”
Ohtani hit his 10th leadoff home run of the season in a 7-6 loss to the Seattle Mariners. It was his 28th leadoff shot as a Dodger, tying him with the late Davey Lopes for second all-time. Ohtani finished 3 for 4 with a walk, a double, three RBIs and a run.
"I do think that the road trip was exhausting for everyone. I do think that with the day off, he came in fresh and looked more like himself," manager Dave Roberts said. “Certainly the way he swung the bat, the way he’s running, he’s not compromised. Until I hear otherwise, he’s going to be in the lineup.”
Ohtani had a lubricant injection in his knee just before the All-Star break and he skipped the game in Philadelphia to rest.
“I really took the All-Star break as that opportunity to really stay off my knees,” he said. “It’s really something that I have to just deal with over the course of the season.”
Ohtani said in Japanese that the injection wasn't a cure-all and he mentioned “a decision that I'm going to ultimately make after the season's over” without clarifying what he was referring to.
He explained the lingering knee soreness was caused by pitching.
“In terms of running, I’m not exactly at 100% capacity,” he said. "When I know it’s not, then it’s always a little harder to be aggressive on the basepath.”
Ohtani said his knee is getting better, which is a priority.
“I don’t think the team has really come to a place exactly where, do I pitch through it or not?” he said. "That’s still really up in the air.”
If Ohtani's health issues don't improve, Roberts was asked whether it's possible the right-hander wouldn't pitch in the postseason for the two-time defending World Series champions.
“I guess anything’s possible, but for me, it’s highly unlikely,” Roberts said. “Given where we’re at in the calendar, if the knee continues to get better, the arm continues to feel better, I would expect him to pitch. All I know is that we’re trying to, I’m trying to, give him the best opportunity to be as healthy as possible, so he can help us on both ends of the baseball.”
Roberts said when Ohtani is cleared to pitch again, he'll need to go through a buildup process.
“I don’t think anyone can kind of foresee what that looks like,” the manager said.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Los Angeles Dodgers Shohei Ohtani (17) hits solo home run against the Seattle Mariners during the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, July 28 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Wally Skalij)
Los Angeles Dodgers Shohei Ohtani (17) celebrates his solo home run against the Seattle Mariners during the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, July 28 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Wally Skalij)
SEATTLE (AP) — Sophie Cunningham and Caitlin Clark were not made available to answer postgame questions about a rally before the Indiana Fever's 105-95 win over the Seattle Storm on Tuesday night in support of Cunningham's recent comments about transgender athletes.
A crowd of a few dozen gathered outside Climate Pledge Arena to both support Cunningham and promote statewide Initiatives 638 and 011, which would bar transgender students from participating in girls’ athletics at Washington schools.
Cunningham voiced support for barring transgender girls and women from girls’ and women’s sports in an ESPN article published last week. Cunningham was booed by Storm fans when she checked into Tuesday’s game, as well as when attempting her first free throws of the night.
Media members asked to speak to Cunningham and Clark postgame, but neither player was made available. Kelsey Mitchell and Monique Billings addressed the media instead, alongside head coach Stephanie White.
When White was asked about the rally and Cunningham’s recent comments, a Fever public relations representative intervened with the following statement:
“Neither our organization nor Sophie had any knowledge of this demonstration and no contact with its organizers,” the statement said. “Our only goal as a team, whether at home or away, is to win basketball games and make Fever fans for life, and we are united in that mission.”
Storm head coach Sonia Raman answered a question about the pregame protest following her team’s seventh consecutive loss.
“Seattle and this organization and Climate Pledge, we always want to be an area where people feel welcome coming into this building,” Raman said. “I think we’ve always done a really good job with that. So, I know our organization was working closely with Climate Pledge and the security just to make sure that everybody feels safe and included and welcome when they walk in this door.
“From what I understand, that was successful.”
Heather Weiner, a spokesperson for No Hate in Washington State, a coalition of doctors, nurses, anti-domestic violence groups and other community organizations opposing statewide Initiatives 638 and 011, found it to be a positive experience on the whole outside Climate Pledge Arena.
“Washington State is a very caring, inclusive place,” Weiner said. “We don’t always agree, but we do agree against hate, and we will come together about that.”
AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball
People rally to support Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham after her comments on transgender athletes in women's sports before a WNBA basketball game between the Seattle Storm and the Indiana Fever, Tuesday, July 28, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark, left, greets guard Sophie Cunningham (8) after Cunningham made a basket against the Seattle Storm during the first half of a WNBA basketball game, Tuesday, July 28, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
A fan holds a sign for Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham in reference to her comments on transgender athletes as a fan wearing Seattle Storm gear holds a competing sign during the first half of a WNBA basketball game, Tuesday, July 28, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
People gather in support of Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham following her comments on transgender athletes before a WNBA basketball game between the Seattle Storm and the Indiana Fever, Tuesday, July 28, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham looks on during the national anthem before facing the Seattle Storm a WNBA basketball game, Tuesday, July 28, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
