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The Los Angeles Dodgers knew they were rolling the dice by allowing Shohei Ohtani to pursue full-time two-way duties in 2026.
For two months, Ohtani didn’t miss a start. He went 4-2 with a 0.73 ERA, the lowest of any full-time starter in MLB. He was scheduled to take the ball again on May 27 against the Colorado Rockies, which would potentially give him enough innings to qualify for the ERA title.
Now that start is in jeopardy.
MORE: Dodgers’ Blake Snell has bone spurs removed; could Tarik Skubal timeline follow?
Ohtani was hit on his right (pitching) hand by a Kyle Freeland changeup in the Dodgers’ game against the Rockies on May 26. After staying in the game and scoring on an Andy Pages double, Ohtani was removed for pinch hitter Dalton Rushing prior to his next plate appearance.
While it’s possible Ohtani was removed as a precaution, rather than in response to a serious injury, it’s also possible the Dodgers would prefer to give his right hand more than 24 hours to heal.
In spite of losing Ohtani — and utility player Kiké Hernández, who strained his left oblique — the Dodgers raced out to a 15-1 lead against the Rockies.
MORE: Dodgers announce death of original Spanish-language broadcaster, Hall of Famer
Already in 2026, Los Angeles has shown a knack for being able to plug in replacements as it aims to win the World Series for the third consecutive year.
Left-handed starting pitcher Blake Snell (elbow) and right-handed counterpart Tyler Glasnow (back) are both on the injured list, prompting the Dodgers to pick up former Blue Jays swingman Eric Lauer.
Lauer, who had five losses in eight appearances when he was cut by Toronto, limited the Rockies to one run over six innings in his Dodgers debut against Colorado.
MORE: Dodgers’ Blake Snell has bone spurs removed; could Tarik Skubal timeline follow?
Unlike any of his peers in MLB, any time Ohtani misses will hit the Dodgers on both sides of the ball.
In addition to his pitching prowess, Ohtani is slashing .270/.403/.471 as the team’s everyday leadoff hitter and DH.
The four-time Most Valuable Player leads all major leaguers in Baseball Reference’s version of WAR, with 3.9 through May 25.
Continue reading...
For two months, Ohtani didn’t miss a start. He went 4-2 with a 0.73 ERA, the lowest of any full-time starter in MLB. He was scheduled to take the ball again on May 27 against the Colorado Rockies, which would potentially give him enough innings to qualify for the ERA title.
Now that start is in jeopardy.
MORE: Dodgers’ Blake Snell has bone spurs removed; could Tarik Skubal timeline follow?
Ohtani was hit on his right (pitching) hand by a Kyle Freeland changeup in the Dodgers’ game against the Rockies on May 26. After staying in the game and scoring on an Andy Pages double, Ohtani was removed for pinch hitter Dalton Rushing prior to his next plate appearance.
While it’s possible Ohtani was removed as a precaution, rather than in response to a serious injury, it’s also possible the Dodgers would prefer to give his right hand more than 24 hours to heal.
In spite of losing Ohtani — and utility player Kiké Hernández, who strained his left oblique — the Dodgers raced out to a 15-1 lead against the Rockies.
MORE: Dodgers announce death of original Spanish-language broadcaster, Hall of Famer
Already in 2026, Los Angeles has shown a knack for being able to plug in replacements as it aims to win the World Series for the third consecutive year.
Left-handed starting pitcher Blake Snell (elbow) and right-handed counterpart Tyler Glasnow (back) are both on the injured list, prompting the Dodgers to pick up former Blue Jays swingman Eric Lauer.
Lauer, who had five losses in eight appearances when he was cut by Toronto, limited the Rockies to one run over six innings in his Dodgers debut against Colorado.
MORE: Dodgers’ Blake Snell has bone spurs removed; could Tarik Skubal timeline follow?
Unlike any of his peers in MLB, any time Ohtani misses will hit the Dodgers on both sides of the ball.
In addition to his pitching prowess, Ohtani is slashing .270/.403/.471 as the team’s everyday leadoff hitter and DH.
The four-time Most Valuable Player leads all major leaguers in Baseball Reference’s version of WAR, with 3.9 through May 25.
Continue reading...
