What happened: Dave Roberts called Thursday's decision precautionary. The knee issue has also interrupted Ohtani's mound work after he continued appearing regularly in the batting order.

Why it matters: The Dodgers must manage Ohtani's availability at the plate while his return to the rotation remains on hold. Losing his bat for additional games would extend the injury's impact beyond pitching.

What to watch: His status for Friday's lineup and the timing of his next mound session are the immediate checkpoints.