Shohei Ohtani, 32, was absent from the Los Angeles Dodgers' lineup Thursday due to lingering soreness in his left knee — his landing leg for pitching. Manager Dave Roberts called the decision precautionary, expecting Ohtani to return Friday, but acknowledged the irritation while not pitching could be a red flag.

Ohtani last pitched on July 3, throwing a season-high 110 pitches before exiting with a right biceps tweak. After the All-Star break, he received a lubricant injection in the knee and missed his scheduled July 22 start. A bullpen session that day further irritated the knee and reignited the biceps issue, halting his throwing program entirely.

President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman expressed confidence Ohtani will pitch again this season, with Roberts hopeful he'll play catch this weekend. Doctors say the knee won't fully heal until offseason rest. The Dodgers are resisting an injured list stint, trusting Ohtani's communication and judgment about his readiness for the postseason push.