Shohei Ohtani struck by drive, removed from game
The Los Angeles Dodgers fell to an 8-3 loss to the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday, a tough night for the two-way star.
Shohei Ohtani’s first career pitching start against the Colorado Rockies was one to forget as the Los Angeles Dodgers fell to an 8-3 loss and the two-way star struggled on the mound.
Ohtani gave up five earned runs and nine hits across his four innings. Those nine hits were the joint-highest he has permitted in a single game in his entire MLB career.
Making matters worse, one of those hits was a line drive off Orlando Arcia that cannoned into Ohtani’s right knee. He rushed after the ball but soon pulled up and limped in pain. He was later removed from the game in the eighth innings as head coach Dave Roberts worried for his fitness.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Roberts admitted that Ohtani was “getting stiff” and that he was withdrawn due to fears that he would “stiffen up more” if left out there. He added that he was “hopeful” and “confident” that Ohtani would be back in the team for Friday’s game against the San Diego Padres.
Ohtani was not immediately taken out of the game after being struck and it looks like it was simply a precaution from the Dodgers. Speaking to reporters, the Japanese star sounded optimistic about the situation.
“Right now, feels pretty good,” Ohtani said through interpreter Will Ireton after the game. “I’m gonna do everything in my abilities to make sure it doesn’t affect me going forward.”
“I think we avoided worst-case scenario," he added.
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