On what should’ve been just another night of Shohei Ohtani magic on the mound, Dodgers fans found themselves holding their breath.
The two-way superstar had to cut his outing short against the Cincinnati Reds, but thankfully, it wasn’t the type of injury that raises alarm bells.
Instead, it was the kind of issue every athlete dreads in extreme heat — a cramp.
Early Exit Sparks Concern for Dodgers Fans
Ohtani was expected to pitch four innings on Wednesday night, but things took a turn in the fourth.
After tossing six consecutive balls — including two wild pitches — he walked off the mound without recording an out in that inning.
It was a jarring moment, especially considering he’s only recently returned to pitching after a two-year break following Tommy John surgery.
The Culprit Was the Weather, Not Injury
Speaking after the Dodgers’ 5–2 loss, Ohtani explained through an interpreter that the issue started in the first inning: a cramp in his right hip that gradually worsened.
“I just tried to work around it,” he said. “It held up through the third, but didn’t work out in the fourth.”
Both he and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts pointed the finger at the brutal weather.
With temperatures hitting 90°F (32°C) and the heat index nearing 100, it was far from ideal pitching conditions.
Roberts Acts Fast on the Mound
Roberts and a trainer quickly headed to the mound after noticing something was off.
Ohtani had just thrown an 86.3 mph sweeper well outside the zone, and the follow-through looked shaky. “I saw a funky throw. It just didn’t look right,” Roberts said.
“Then he said it was his hip and blamed the humidity. That made me feel better, honestly.”
Still Serving as DH, But Not His Best Night at the Plate
Despite the cramp, Ohtani stayed in the game as the Dodgers’ designated hitter — though he didn’t have much luck.
He went 0 for 5 just a day after striking out four times.
His final at-bat ended with a line drive caught by Cincinnati’s Will Benson.
“I don’t play defense, so I could still help,” Ohtani said.
“It was a close game, and I wanted to contribute, even if I wasn’t 100 percent.”
A Step Forward in His Comeback Journey
This game marked Ohtani’s seventh time pitching since his return from surgery, and despite the early exit, there were still positives.
He threw 51 pitches — 32 of them for strikes — and allowed two runs on five hits across three-plus innings.
He also recorded four strikeouts and issued two walks.
“The good thing is my pitch count was right where I wanted it,” Ohtani noted. “So in that sense, it felt like a step forward.”
Eyes on the Future Despite Bumps Along the Way
Ohtani has been making a careful comeback after missing the 2024 season on the mound.
Even though he didn’t pitch last year, he still delivered a monster offensive season with 54 home runs, 59 stolen bases, and another MVP trophy to his name.
Now, as he continues to ease back into pitching, the focus is on staying healthy and regaining full form.
Physically, Ohtani admitted he’s felt a bit off lately: “I haven’t felt great the past couple days.”
But with a 2.40 ERA in 15 innings so far, the signs are promising.
What’s Next for Ohtani?
Ohtani is hopeful that this is just a minor setback.
If all goes well, he should be back on the mound for his next scheduled start.
The Dodgers — and baseball fans everywhere — will be watching closely, hoping the summer heat doesn’t derail what’s shaping up to be another remarkable season for the $700 million man.