Ohtani Speaks Out! Dodgers Star's 'Regrettable' Rockies Start & Injury Scare
Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani has broken his silence after a tough outing against the Colorado Rockies. In his tenth start of the season, the reigning NL MVP struggled, allowing five runs on nine hits in just four innings. This marks the most hits Ohtani has given up in a single game since September 2021, making it a particularly frustrating performance for the two-way phenom.
Adding insult to injury, Ohtani was also struck on the thigh by a comebacker during the Dodgers' 8-3 loss. The incident occurred in the fourth inning when Rockies third baseman Orlando Arciao hit an 88 mph slider directly at Ohtani, who was unable to make a play, allowing another run to score. The Dodgers' training staff immediately rushed to the mound to assess the situation as Ohtani limped.
“It’s very regrettable. Put the team in a bad spot. It was just a very regrettable outing that I wish I could have done better,” Ohtani said after the game, as reported by SportsNet LA. He acknowledged his poor performance and its negative impact on the team's chances.
Despite the injury, Ohtani remained in the game to finish the fourth inning. However, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts decided to remove him after his at-bat in the fifth, citing concerns that Ohtani's thigh could stiffen up. Roberts expressed confidence that Ohtani would be ready for the series opener against the San Diego Padres on Friday.
Ohtani himself echoed this sentiment, stating, “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.” He remains optimistic about his ability to recover quickly and contribute to the team in the upcoming games.
Key Takeaways from Ohtani's Outing:
- Ohtani surrendered a season-high number of hits.
- He was hit by a comebacker on his thigh.
- He expressed regret for his performance.
- The Dodgers are hopeful he'll be ready for Friday's game against the Padres.
Looking Ahead
Dodgers fans will be eagerly awaiting updates on Ohtani's condition as the team prepares for their series against the Padres. His ability to bounce back from this challenging start, both physically and mentally, will be crucial for the Dodgers' success.