Ohtani still not 100 percent, status for Sunday’s start remains in doubt

Shohei Ohtani's availability for Sunday's start against the Detroit Tigers is still unclear due to knee discomfort he experienced during a light bullpen session on Friday. Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts mentioned on Saturday that Ohtani's knee is still not pain-free and he's also experiencing minor issues with his biceps muscle, which had troubled him earlier in the inning.

Ohtani hasn't pitched since throwing six innings in a 4-3 victory against the San Diego Padres on July 3. With only an inning or two expected on Sunday, Roberts is contemplating whether it's worth giving Ohtani an inning to gradually build him up, considering his overall body condition. Despite the discomfort, Ohtani has managed to hit through the problems, posting a .274 batting average with 12 home runs in 44 games since his last pitching appearance.

The inclusion of Tarik Skubal has made it easier for the Dodgers to win without relying on Ohtani in the rotation.