Shohei Ohtani experienced cramping in his right hip during his start against the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday, which forced him to leave the mound with the assistance of a trainer. Although he reached the fourth inning, he failed to record an out in that frame, signaling some physical difficulties amid the outing. Ohtani disclosed that the cramping began during the first inning, but despite the discomfort, he completed three-plus innings.
In this game, Ohtani allowed five hits, two runs, and two walks while striking out four batters. Even though he exited early, this outing was his longest so far with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He also threw a season-high of 51 pitches, which he viewed as a positive aspect of the performance at Great American Ball Park.
Ohtani’s final moments on the mound included six consecutive balls, with two wild pitches, which raised some concern among observers. However, he showed no clear signs of injury and stayed in the lineup as the Dodgers’ designated hitter.
Ohtani Set to Pitch Again with Optimism from Dodgers’ Manager
After the cramping episode, Shohei Ohtani appeared in the Dodgers’ lineup on Friday evening and is still expected to make his next scheduled pitching start on Wednesday afternoon. The Dodgers have carefully planned his rest periods, aiming to manage his dual role as a pitcher and hitter while minimizing injury risks.
Manager Roberts expressed confidence about Ohtani’s upcoming performance, stating,
“I see him going four innings. He won’t be in humidity, he’ll have seven days (of rest), so I don’t see how he wouldn’t go four on Wednesday. That’s the plan,”
ensuring the star stays on track for a solid pitching effort.
This next start also coincides with a special event at Dodger Stadium, where fans will receive Shohei Ohtani replica World Series rings, adding excitement to the game day atmosphere.
Managing Ohtani’s Workload as a Two-Way Player
Shohei Ohtani’s transition back to a two-way role requires careful scheduling and monitoring of his health. The break following his recent outing was strategically placed to give him adequate rest, particularly considering the cramping incident. Maintaining this balance is crucial for the Dodgers as they rely on Ohtani’s unique ability to contribute both as a dominant pitcher and a productive hitter.
With the team’s close attention to Ohtani’s condition and rest intervals, his pitching comeback is anticipated to proceed without major setbacks. This approach could help prolong his effectiveness throughout the season while minimizing injury concerns.