Everyone in Los Angeles is undoubtedly trying to catch their breath after this.
Shohei Ohtani has been doing his usual thing of late, which is making more MLB history. On Friday night, during the Los Angeles Dodgers’ weekend series against the Tampa Bay Rays, Ohtani blasted a walk-off grand slam, becoming only the sixth player in history to reach the 40-40 mark. Naturally, he followed up the next day with another home run.
However, on Sunday, his accomplishment was not one that Dodgers supporters had anticipated. In the series finale against the Rays, Ohtani nearly suffered a serious injury, making everyone watching the Dodgers gasp and hold their breath.
Ohtani was at the plate when a high-and-tight pitch was delivered to the superstar. Despite his best efforts to avoid contact, the fastball nevertheless struck his wrist. It left the Dodgers DH in obvious pain, and everyone feared the worst in the aftermath.
But don’t panic, Dodgers supporters; it appears like you can breathe easier after this terrifying moment.
After the hit-by-pitch, Ohtani ran to first base and waved off the Dodgers’ training crew to stay in the game. Perhaps more crucially, he was later spotted in the dugout going about his typical routine between at-bats, seemingly unaffected by the HBP.
Shohei Ohtani's doing his normal stuff between at-bats in the dugout, for what it's worth. https://t.co/qeYGsJMGZ7
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) August 25, 2024
Update @ 7:15 p.m. ET: Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed that Ohtani is fine after scans were negative. Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic also highlighted that the forearm was just “lightly wrapped” after the game and is undergoing tests.
Scans were negative on Shohei Ohtani’s left forearm, Dave Roberts said. He’s fine. That forearm was only lightly wrapped postgame.
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) August 25, 2024
Original Post: To be clear, there is never a good time for Ohtani to be hurt if you are the Dodgers. He is a unicorn in baseball and a vital member of this club. However, if we consider the timing of an injury on a sliding scale, this could be the worst time for it.
Los Angeles won the series against the Rays on Sunday, maintaining their three-game lead in the NL West. However, that lead has dwindled over the last month as they attempt to earn both the division and possibly the top spot in the National League for the playoffs.
And if the Rays series demonstrated anything, it was that the Dodgers’ margins are suddenly extremely thin, given the ailments they are already dealing with, particularly on their pitching staff.
So losing Ohtani at such a critical point when they need every ounce of energy they can get is heartbreaking to think about. Thankfully, he and the Dodgers avoided any significant consequences from this hit-by-pitch. But supporters may be a bit more nervous for Ohtani in the coming at-bats, knowing what could happen if he sustains an injury, which we all hope does not happen.
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