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06/13 15:44 CDT Shohei Ohtani hits a leadoff homer in return to Dodgers lineup
after dealing with knee issue
Shohei Ohtani hits a leadoff homer in return to Dodgers lineup after dealing
with knee issue
By JAY COHEN
AP Baseball Writer
CHICAGO (AP) --- Looks like Shohei Ohtani is feeling much better.
Ohtani hit a leadoff homer for the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday in his
return to the starting lineup after being sidelined by inflammation in his left
knee.
The two-way star connected on a 1-0 fastball from White Sox right-hander Sean
Burke for his 14th homer. The 409-foot drive to right in the first inning had
an exit velocity of 109.6 mph.
It was Ohtani's fifth leadoff homer of the season and No. 29 for his career.
The Japanese slugger batted again in the second and reached on a two-out walk.
The 31-year-old Ohtani was back at designated hitter after he rested during
Friday's 8-2 loss in the series opener at Chicago. The knee inflammation popped
up Thursday night at Pittsburgh, prompting Ohtani to leave an 8-6 win over the
Pirates in the seventh.
"We took him out of the game the other night just for precautionary," manager
Dave Roberts said before Saturday's game against the White Sox. "Yesterday,
treated it up, today he feels great. All the confidence that he can go out
there and hit, feel good, not regress at all."
Ohtani remains on track to pitch Wednesday against Tampa Bay. The 6-foot-4
right-hander tested how his knee feels with his throwing motion by playing
catch in the outfield before Saturday's matchup with the White Sox.
Ohtani, who had surgery on his left knee in September 2019, began the day with
a .305 batting average and 40 RBIs in 67 games for the NL West leaders. On the
mound, the reigning NL MVP is 6-2 with a 1.06 ERA in 11 starts.
Roberts also said Justin Wrobleski is expected to make his next scheduled start
on Tuesday against the Rays. The left-hander left in the fifth inning on
Thursday night because of a left hamstring contusion.
"Yesterday I talked to him and he is a little sore, which is understandable,
but he'll be ready to go on Tuesday," Roberts said.
Roberts, 54, is going to miss Sunday's series finale against the White Sox.
Bench coach Danny Lehmann is going to run the team while Roberts attends his
daughter's college graduation.
___
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
