Shohei Ohtani’s Temporary Absence from Dodgers and Team Updates

Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani was absent from the team on Friday due to the birth of his second child. As a result, he did not participate in the series opener against the Orioles. Instead of placing him on the paternity list, the Dodgers chose to continue playing temporarily without him. The team anticipates Ohtani’s return sometime this weekend.

Ohtani pitched last Wednesday, ensuring his availability before his next scheduled pitching appearance. During his absence, rookie Ryan Ward took on the role of designated hitter on Friday, batting seventh. Additionally, Kyle Tucker assumed Ohtani’s usual leadoff position.

At the start of Friday, Ohtani boasted the second-highest on-base plus slugging (OPS) of .962 in the National League among qualified hitters. His impressive 1.47 earned run average (ERA) ranked second among pitchers with at least 50 innings pitched, despite conceding seven earned runs in his previous two starts. Ohtani has been pitching while dealing with a blister on his right middle finger. Furthermore, he sat out a game last week due to left knee inflammation, possibly linked to issues in his pitching mechanics.

Catcher Will Smith’s Neck Injury

Dodgers catcher Will Smith is set to receive an injection for his stiff neck, according to manager Dave Roberts. Recent imaging results indicated no serious issues. Smith had previously diagnosed it as an ‘inflamed disk’ before the imaging.

Currently, Smith remains on the injured list beyond the minimal required period, despite initial optimism from the Dodgers. His return is not expected by the weekend, and he might skip the upcoming trip to Minnesota on Monday, marking the beginning of a three-city journey.

Edwin Díaz’s Rehabilitation

Closer Edwin Díaz, recovering from elbow surgery, has progressed to pitching off the mound. On Friday, he completed a 15-pitch bullpen session, featuring only fastballs clocked between 91-93 mph, as reported by Roberts. The session was deemed a ‘really positive day’ for Díaz.

Following Díaz’s surgery in late April to remove loose bodies from his elbow, the Dodgers aim for a return post-All-Star break. They plan a cautious approach to his recovery, focusing on long-term health benefits.

Additional Updates

Left fielder Teoscar Hernández is expected to start a minor league rehab assignment early next week due to a strained left hamstring. Meanwhile, left-hander Blake Snell, recovering from elbow surgery involving a NanoNeedle scope in mid-May, is advancing in his throwing program. Roberts mentioned he is nearing the phase of pitching from a mound.