The Los Angeles Dodgers took the rubber match of their series with the Tampa Bay Rays and improved to 5-1 on the current homestand, but it included a Shohei Ohtani injury scare as he was hit by a pitch in the bottom of the eighth inning.
Ohtani was hit on the inside of his left wrist/forearm area by a 92 mph pitch from Richard Lovelady. The 29-year-old had already darted out of the batter’s box to avoid getting hit earlier in the at-bat.
Ohtani immediately grabbed at his wrist and was in visible pain while jogging to first base. He brushed off a Dodgers trainer and remained in the game.
Following the Dodgers’ win, Ohtani underwent X-rays on his left forearm that manager Dave Roberts said came back negative and he’s expected to remain in the lineup moving forward.
Mookie Betts helped provide some relief for Ohtani by following the sequence with what held as a game-winning home run. Ohtani was seen in the dugout doing his usual routine between at-bats, which was the first sign of there not being any sort of injury.
Lovelady also hit Max Muncy with a pitch in the back of his right shoulder. Muncy shouted in Lovelady’s direction as he walked to first base, seemingly upset with the lack of control.
For his part, Lovelady appeared remorseful over hitting Ohtani and Muncy.
Ohtani avoiding injury is imperative for the Dodgers, who have already gone prolonged stretches this season without Muncy and Betts in the lineup. They also have lost several pitchers to injuries at various points throughout the year.
Shohei Ohtani throws off mound
The day after becoming the sixth player in MLB history with 40 home runs and 40 stolen bases in one season, Ohtani threw off the mound for the first time this year.
The light bullpen session was just 10 pitches but it represented another sign Ohtani continues to progress well from last year’s Tommy John surgery. He’s on track for a return to the mound in 2025.
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