Shohei Ohtani, a one-way player for the foreseeable future, gives up on a dream ... for now - AOL.com

What the report says

Yahoo Entertainment reported that Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani is expected to remain out of the pitching rotation for the foreseeable future because of ongoing discomfort in his left knee, ending any realistic chance that he will win the National League Cy Young Award this season. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters Sunday that Ohtani would miss his next scheduled start and indicated the issue was not simply day to day.

According to the report, Ohtani has dealt with the knee problem since June 11, when he was pulled from a game after a difficult pitching appearance against the Pittsburgh Pirates. He continued playing as the Dodgers used him at designated hitter, but the club held him out of his final start before the All-Star break. Ohtani also skipped All-Star activities in Philadelphia to rest and receive an Orthovisc injection.

The injury matters because 2026 was framed as Ohtani’s first fully built-up pitching season with the Dodgers, giving him a major opportunity to chase the one prominent individual award still missing from his résumé. Yahoo reported that he had been dominant on the mound, with a 1.79 ERA, 95 strikeouts and 26 walks in 85 2/3 innings, though the Dodgers’ six-man rotation already limited his innings compared with other Cy Young contenders.

Ohtani is still expected to lead off and serve as DH while his pitching return remains uncertain. The report noted he played catch at Citizens Bank Park on Monday, suggesting he is still doing throwing work, but no firm timeline has been announced.