Shohei Ohtani. Image via: Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty ImagesShohei Ohtani had done everything expected of baseball's biggest star Thursday night against the Pittsburgh Pirates. He homered, reached base in all four plate appearances, scored twice, and helped the Los Angeles Dodgers build momentum. Then, without warning, he was gone.The Dodgers announced during the seventh inning that Ohtani had exited with left knee inflammation. The timing was striking. Los Angeles was protecting a narrow lead, and Ohtani's spot in the batting order was due up with runners on base. Instead, Santiago Espinal stepped in as a pinch-hitter.Why did Shohei Ohtani leave the Dodgers game against the Pirates?The Dodgers confirmed only that Shohei Ohtani was removed because of inflammation in his left knee. The organization did not immediately explain when the discomfort began or whether the issue had been bothering him before Thursday's game.The two-way superstar looked completely in control, launching a solo home run off Mitch Keller in the third inning while adding a single and two walks. He reached base in every trip to the plate.The injury scare arrived less than 24 hours after Ohtani handled pitching duties for Los Angeles. On Wednesday, he worked 6⅔ innings, allowing three earned runs while continuing a remarkable season on the mound. His 1.06 ERA remains among the most dominant marks in baseball.Any absence would carry outsized consequences. Ohtani is not only the reigning National League MVP but also the centerpiece of the Dodgers' championship hopes. His production impacts both sides of the game in a way no other player can replicate.Shohei Ohtani and Justin Wrobleski compound Dodgers injury concernsOhtani was not the only Dodger forced from the game.Starting pitcher Justin Wrobleski exited earlier after suffering a right hamstring contusion. The injury occurred during a chaotic fifth inning. After surrendering back-to-back home runs, Wrobleski was struck by a line drive and later stumbled while covering first base following a play involving Bryan Reynolds.Manager Dave Roberts and the training staff quickly intervened, ending Wrobleski's outing.The double injury blow created an uneasy atmosphere around a club that entered the night among the National League's top contenders. Los Angeles owns one of baseball's strongest rosters, but its World Series ambitions are closely tied to Ohtani's availability.The Dodgers maintain a comfortable lead in the NL West, yet postseason races are rarely decided in June. The larger concern is whether Ohtani's knee issue proves temporary or becomes something more significant. Los Angeles will now wait for further evaluation, knowing the health of its biggest star could shape the rest of its season.