Shohei Ohtani’s first regular-season start at Coors Field didn’t go as planned. The Los Angeles Dodgers’ two-way star tied a career high by allowing nine hits and five earned runs in an 8–3 loss to the Rockies on Wednesday. To make matters worse, a 93.7 mph line drive off the bat of Orlando Arcia struck him above the right knee in the fourth inning, forcing an early exit just a few innings later.
Still, both Ohtani and manager Dave Roberts believe the setback will be temporary.
“It was getting stiff and there was some swelling in there,” Roberts explained. “It was in the thigh, fortunately, and not off the knee. But it got him square. … I felt as the game was going to go on, it was going to stiffen up more.”
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Ohtani remained in the game after the comebacker, pitched through the inning, and even doubled in one of his three plate appearances. But Roberts pulled him for a pinch-hitter in the eighth, citing concern about the leg tightening up. The official diagnosis was a right thigh contusion.
Roberts said he doesn’t expect Ohtani to need imaging and is “hopeful” he’ll be back in the lineup Friday when the Dodgers open a pivotal three-game series against the Padres in San Diego.
“That’s my intention,” Ohtani said through interpreter Will Ireton. “The goal is to make sure that I’m back to normal again. … I got hit in the same spot, hit by a pitch [earlier this season]. Right now, it feels pretty good. I’m going to do everything in my ability to make sure that it doesn’t affect me moving forward.”
A Rough Night in Denver
The damage at the plate was nearly as frustrating as the bruise. Ohtani had given up nine hits in a game only once before in his MLB career, back in September 2021 with the Angels. Pitching at altitude presented unique challenges, though he refused to use the conditions as an excuse.
“Very regrettable,” Ohtani admitted. “I put the team in a bad spot. It was just a very regrettable outing. I wish I could have done better. … I was aware in my bullpen session that the ball doesn’t move quite as much as it does at normal sea level. But again, that’s not an excuse.”
For Ohtani, it marked a stark contrast to his only other trip to the mound at Coors Field — the 2021 All-Star Game, where he tossed a scoreless inning for the American League.
Stakes in San Diego
The Dodgers’ scheduled day off Thursday provides a natural window for recovery, and both Ohtani and Roberts sounded confident about his return. That’s critical timing: Los Angeles leads the Padres by just one game in the NL West, and this weekend’s series at Petco Park will be the final head-to-head matchup of the regular season.
Ohtani, the frontrunner for National League MVP, has carried the Dodgers’ offense for much of the season. His presence in the lineup, even if his pitching form takes a moment to rebound, will be vital as Los Angeles tries to hold off its closest rival.
For now, the bruise seems more like a scare than a setback. Ohtani has already circled Friday for his return.