Shohei Ohtani reached the fourth inning in his start against the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday, but didn’t record an out and ended up walking off the mound with a trainer due to what the Los Angeles Dodgers deemed cramps.
Ohtani later revealed the issue was specific to his right hip and that he first began experiencing trouble with cramping during the first inning.
The two-way star’s final line was three-plus innings, five hits, two runs, two walks and four strikeouts. Despite not getting out of the fourth inning, it was still his longest outing with the Dodgers.
Ohtani also threw a season-high 51 pitches, which he took away as a positive from the start at Great American Ball Park.
Ohtani ended his outing against the Reds by throwing six consecutive balls, including two wild pitches. That understandably drew some concern, but Ohtani didn’t show any signs of injury and remained in the game as the Dodgers’ designated hitter.
The three-time MVP’s start against the Reds came on eight days of rest and preceded a break in the Dodgers’ schedule, which was strategically planned as they look to manage his workload amid his resumption of being a two-way player.
Shohei Ohtani recovered from cramping to make next start
Ohtani was in the Dodgers lineup on Friday night and remains on track for his next scheduled start as a pitcher on Wednesday afternoon.
“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,” Roberts said.
The outing happens to coincide with the Shohei Ohtani replica World Series ring giveaway at Dodger Stadium.
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