Shohei Ohtani exits Dodgers-Pirates with left knee inflammation

The Los Angeles Dodgers are holding their breath on Shohei Ohtani.

In the seventh inning of their game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Dodgers pulled the two-way superstar in a two-run game, pinch-hitting him with Santiago Espinal in the leadoff spot. They soon announced Ohtani left the game with left knee inflammation.

Starting pitcher Justin Wrobleski exited the game earlier with a right hamstring contusion. Ohtani has a history with that knee, as his 2019 season ended early due to surgery to repair a bipartite patella.

Before his exit, Ohtani was 2-for-2 with two walks and a homer, his second in as many days. It’s unclear if any specific play caused the knee issue.

Knee inflammation can go any number of ways, but it goes without saying that a significant injury for Ohtani would be a blow for the Dodgers, even with them sitting comfortably in first place in the NL West. Ohtani is currently the overwhelming favorite for his fifth career MVP award, and has an outside chance at his first Cy Young Award.

As of Thursday night, Ohtani leads the NL in OPS at .962 and on-base percentage at .421. His 1.06 ERA would lead MLB if he qualified for the ERA title, but he finished one out short of that threshold on Wednesday.