Within the last 24 hours, the outlook on Shohei Ohtani pitching for the Los Angeles Dodgers grew bleak by the hour. 

After speaking to the media for the first time in 16 days following Tuesday's loss, Ohtani revealed that he had been dealing with complications with his knee and bicep once again, hindering his pitching program. 

Dodgers President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman told the media on Wednesday on SportsNetLA that the club remains focused on the long-term plan for Ohtani's recovery on his left knee as he works toward returning to the rubber. 

"Subconsciously, we did not want to put him in a position where he was altering his mechanics to try to protect the knee in any way," Friedman said. 

Friedman added that Ohtani's upward trajectory towards catch play is trending and believes he could participate in throwing "relatively soon." 

Having Ohtani repeat his delivery the way he intends to, pain-free, is priority number one without overcompensating for the knee altogether. Still, if it weren't for his ailing knee, Ohtani would be on the mound right now, since Friedman stated that Ohtani's bicep "got better."

This is even more evident by the fact that Friedman said that Ohtani has begun being built up to throw by throwing plyo balls. 

When Friedman spoke to Ohtani about how he feels physically with his knee, Ohtani said he feels good when he hits and runs the bases, but only when he lands on it do the recurring problems arise.  

"If it weren't for the knee, he would be pitching right now. He would be making his regular turn," Friedman said.  

"I feel confident that, relatively soon, he's going to start getting out and start ramping up for catch play, bullpens, and getting him back."

Given that the MLB Trade Deadline is five days away, does the uncertainty of not knowing when Ohtani is officially due to return change the way Friedman and the Dodgers' front office change gears on their pursuit of a star arm on the market? 

"No, I don't think it puts it at an acute need at all," Friedman said. 

Friedman noted that, since Ohtani's injuries are not "structural," it's a clearer path to his return. The added reassurance of his continued progress puts a damper on the Dodgers making a big splash this deadline. 

Still, do not count the Dodgers out when you have a pitcher like Tarik Skubal on the market. 

"There just aren't that many star-level players in the game. Any time one is available, we're always going to participate in those conversations," Friedman said. 

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