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.
By the numbers: Ohtani has not pitched since July 3, a span of nearly four weeks through Thursday. He postponed a bullpen session Saturday after experiencing discomfort following a 30-pitch mound session.
What to watch: His status for Friday's lineup and the timing of his next mound session are the immediate checkpoints.