The Los Angeles Dodgers avoided what they hope is a major injury scare Thursday night when two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani exited an 8-6 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates due to inflammation in his left knee.Ohtani was lifted for a pinch hitter in the seventh inning, prompting immediate concern throughout baseball. However, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts quickly downplayed the situation after the game, saying the move was purely precautionary and designed to prevent any aggravation of the injury.“We just didn’t want to take any chances,” Roberts told reporters. “My level of concern is not high.”Ohtani was not made available to the media following the game, leaving Roberts to address questions regarding the health of the reigning National League MVP. While the Dodgers have not announced whether additional testing will be required, the organization appears optimistic that the issue is minor.The timing of the injury concern is notable given Ohtani’s dominant performance this season both at the plate and on the mound. Entering Friday, the 31-year-old was batting .305 with 13 home runs and 40 RBIs while continuing to rank among the National League’s most productive offensive players. His combination of power, plate discipline, and ability to impact games in multiple ways has once again made him one of the frontrunners in the MVP race.Ohtani’s value extends far beyond his offensive production. After returning to the mound this season, he has been nearly unhittable, compiling a 6-2 record with a sparkling 1.06 ERA and 73 strikeouts in 67⅔ innings pitched. His dominance as a starting pitcher has given the Dodgers another ace at the top of their rotation while further solidifying his status as baseball’s premier two-way player.The Dodgers have relied heavily on Ohtani’s contributions as they battle for position atop the National League standings. Any absence would be significant, but Roberts’ comments suggest the club believes it avoided a serious setback.For now, Los Angeles will continue to monitor Ohtani’s condition, hoping its biggest star can return to the lineup without missing significant time.More MLB news: