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LAD • Two-Way Player • #17
2 days ago
Ohtani was able to reach three times, but the first time came on an error in the first, and he took first on catcher’s interference a few innings later. His on-base streak would have ended despite those two reaches, but a single in the ninth extended it to 50 games. He also pitches.
LAD • Two-Way Player • #17
5 days ago
This was just unfair. With a night off from hitting, Ohtani was able to tear apart the Mets’ lineup. His 22 swings-and-misses were his most since joining the Dodgers and was just the sixth time a pitcher reached that mark so far this season. Coincidentally, his teammate Yoshinobu Yamamoto did so last night against these same Mets. Nevertheless, it’s easy to forget how advanced Ohtani’s feel for pitching is considering how much praise he gets for his offense. He led with his fastball that sat around 97 mph and mixed in plenty of sweepers, splitters, and curveballs whenever he needed to. Possibly his most impressive sequence of the night, he threw his four hardest fastballs in his second-to-last inning after the Mets put runners on second and third with one out in a one-run game. All four of those fastballs were harder than 100 mph. Now through 18 innings this season, he’s struck out 18 batters and allowed just one earned run. Sometimes you just have to sit back and appreciate greatness. He’s expected to be back in the lineup on Friday night in Colorado and is scheduled to make his next start in San Francisco against the Giants.
LAD • Two-Way Player • #17
6 days ago
It’s purely circumstantial in nature, but Ohtani has gone 0-for-7 at the plate in a pair of contests since being hit by a pitch on the right shoulder during Monday’s series opener against the Mets. He was also involved in a bizarre play last week against the Blue Jays when he was struck by a pickoff throw on the elbow by rookie catcher Brandon Valenzuela. The Dodgers are going to give him a break from hitting to focus exclusively on pitching during Wednesday’s start at Dodger Stadium. It’s the first time he’s pitched without being in the lineup since 2021. Blockbuster offseason acquisition Kyle Tucker ascends to the leadoff spot with rookie catcher Dalton Rushing getting a turn at DH in his place.
Source: MLB.com
LAD • Two-Way Player • #17
6 days ago
Ohtani will get a break from hitting for precautionary reasons due to a minor right shoulder issue. The two-way sensation has gone 0-for-7 at the plate in a pair of contests since being hit by a pitch on the right shoulder during Monday’s series opener against the Mets. The Dodgers are going to allow him to focus exclusively on pitching during Wednesday’s start at Dodger Stadium. It’s the first time he’s pitched without being in the lineup since 2021. Blockbuster offseason acquisition Kyle Tucker ascends to the leadoff spot with rookie catcher Dalton Rushing getting a turn at DH in his place.
Source: MLB.com
LAD • Two-Way Player • #17
7 days ago
Ohtani was left with a bruise by the David Peterson offering, but he finished the game just fine. He should be in Tuesday’s lineup, and he’s slated to start Wednesday’s series finale against the Mets.
Source: Jack Harris
LAD • Two-Way Player • #17
8 days ago
This makes back-to-back games for Ohtani hitting leadoff dingers, with this one coming off Jacob deGrom. He’s now hit five homers over 15 games — a 54-homer pace — and he’s slashing a very Ohtani-like .286/.425/.571. Special stuff.
LAD • Two-Way Player • #17
9 days ago
Ohtani blistered a solo homer leading off the game for the Dodgers to tie the score at 1-1. The 31-year-old has now homered four times in 13 games, which puts him just a smidgen under a 54-homer pace. For many hitters, that’s unsustainable. For Ohtani, it’s just another season. He also pitches. It’s pretty fun to watch, honestly.
LAD • Two-Way Player • #17
12 days ago
Ohtani left with a one-run lead, but that was blown right away in the seventh in the eventual 4-3 loss. The Dodgers were hamstrung today after Ohtani’s very first pitch of the game was accidentally challenged; Ohtani was just adjusting his cap, but catcher Will Smith saw him and tapped his head, thinking Ohtani wanted an overrule. However, the ball was clearly low, and the Dodgers never risked using their second challenge, even though they had a couple of occasions when they should have. Ohtani ended up going 0-for-3 with a walk and two strikeouts at the plate. He struck out only two on the mound and was often checking out his hand late in the outing, indicating that perhaps he was having a nail or blister issue. His velocity was better today; he averaged 98.3 mph with his fastball, up from 96.8 mph in his debut. He’ll probably make his next start on six days’ rest next Wednesday against the Mets.
LAD • Two-Way Player • #17
13 days ago
Ohtani got a little scare in the game, as he was in some pain after getting hit on the back of his left elbow by catcher Brandon Valenzuela’s followthrough on an attempted pickoff at first base. It was probably just a funny bone issue, though. Valenzuela was also left with some sore fingers, but both continued without incident.
LAD • Two-Way Player • #17
15 days ago
The Nationals were up 6-1 after five, but that wasn’t enough. Ohtani was responsible for the Dodgers’ one early run, taking Foster Griffin deep in the third. He has two homers and six RBI through nine games. His next start as a pitcher is due to come Wednesday in the finale of a three-game against the Blue Jays starting on Monday.
LAD • Two-Way Player • #17
18 days ago
The cure for the offensive slump? More Miles Mikolas. Ohtani homered off the right-hander to open proceedings on a five-run Dodgers third inning, and added a sacrifice fly in the ninth to bring home Alex Call. The superstar has boosted his batting average to .217. We’re expecting that to keep climbing.
LAD • Two-Way Player • #17
20 days ago
Roberts added that Justin Wrobleski will temporarily move into the rotation to build in some extra rest for everyone else. Ohtani simultaneously holds the longest active scoreless pitching streak (22 2/3 innings) and the longest active on-base streak (36 games) in baseball right now. The 31-year-old two-way superstar tossed six shutout innings on Tuesday against the Guardians while also reaching base safely three times. He’ll get a couple extra days of rest before taking the ball to close out a three-game rematch of last year’s thrilling Fall Classic.
Source: Fabian Ardaya
LAD • Two-Way Player • #17
20 days ago
Ohtani had an outstanding season debut on the mound, holding the Guardians scoreless over six frames. He allowed just one hit and issued three walks while striking out six on 11 whiffs. Ohtani topped out at 99 mph and sat 96.8 mph on a rainy night in Los Angeles. The 31-year-old two-way star added a hit and two walks at the dish. He lines up to make his next start on the mound Monday against the Blue Jays in Toronto.
LAD • Two-Way Player • #17
27 days ago
All of the runs came in the fifth, when he allowed three straight singles to open the inning and then got pulled. None of the singles were hard-hit. Through the first four innings, he’d allowed just one hard-hit ball and struck out more than two-thirds of the batters he faced, even though his velocity was down about two mph from last year. He’ll make his season debut as a pitcher Tuesday against the Guardians.
LAD • Two-Way Player • #17
about 1 month ago
We made the mistake of assuming he was done after four, but he had one batter left in him. Ohtani had an easy time today, especially during a five-pitch first inning. He hit 99.9 mph on the gun and averaged 97.6 mph with his 19 fastballs. In all, he threw 61 pitches. One imagines he’ll throw around 65-70 in his final spring start, which will likely come Tuesday against the Angels, and then be ready for throw 75-80 pitches in his first regular-season start, which should come against the Guardians on Mar. 30 or 31.
LAD • Two-Way Player • #17
about 1 month ago
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed that Ohtani will see his first game action as a pitcher this spring as he ramps up in advance of next week’s season opener. The 31-year-old two-way superstar spent the World Baseball Classic as Japan’s DH, batting .462 (6-fo-13) with three homers, seven RBI and five walks in four games.
Source: Maddie Lee
LAD • Two-Way Player • #17
about 1 month ago
After Ronald Acuña Jr. homered to open the top half of the first inning, Ohtani matched his Venezuelan counterpart with a leadoff blast of his own — a 427-foot (113.6 mph EV) bomb off of Ranger Suárez. Ohtani also walked intentionally in the third inning and rode home on a three-run homer by Shota Morishita. Ohtani will now return back to Dodgers’ camp and finish preparing for the start of the regular season.
LAD • Two-Way Player • #17
about 1 month ago
Ohtani finished 2-for-2 with a pair of walks, reaching base safely in all four plate appearances out of the leadoff spot. The 31-year-old two-way superstar has homered in back-to-back games for Japan as they attempt to defend their World Baseball Classic title. He continues to display an uncanny ability to meet the moment on the international stage, delivering a 408-foot moonshot in front of a packed Tokyo Dome as Japan managed to overcome an early deficit to knock off Korea. Ohtani will lead the defending WBC champions against an upstart Australia squad when pool play continues Sunday morning.
LAD • Two-Way Player • #17
about 2 months ago
Ohtani got the scoring started with a 368-foot grand slam in the second inning. He would later drive in another run in the same inning as Japan scored 10 runs in the second to put the game away almost immediately. The 31-year-old later added a double for his third hit of the game. He’s a very good hitter, but that’s not news to you.
LAD • Two-Way Player • #17
about 2 months ago
The 31-year-old hurler touched 99 mph with his fastball during the session, throwing 33 pitches over his two innings of work. That’s expected to be his final pitching session in camp with the Dodgers before he leaves to join Team Japan for the World Baseball Classic. It sounds like he may not pitch at all during Cactus League play, and won’t pitch in the Classic, but will be ready to make his first scheduled start during the regular season.
Source: Jack Harris
LAD • Two-Way Player • #17
about 2 months ago
Ohtani will get a couple games in with the Dodgers this spring before joining Team Japan to serve as their primary DH for next month’s World Baseball Classic. The 31-year-old two-way superstar will not pitch during the international showcase and is unlikely to make any spring appearances on the mound for the Dodgers before making his first regular-season start.
Source: Sonja Chen
LAD • Two-Way Player • #17
2 months ago
Ohtani will not pitch during the World Baseball Classic, which concludes nine days before the Dodgers’ opener, so it’s unclear how built up he’ll be initially. Still, the Dodgers will just work with it, even if Ohtani isn’t ready to throw more than two or three innings initially. With early days off, they could have another starter piggyback off of him the first couple of times through the rotation.
Source: Bill Plunkett
LAD • Two-Way Player • #17
3 months ago
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said shortly afterwards that Ohtani will not pitch during the international showcase. It sounds like Ohtani will focus on ramping up his throwing program this spring while serving exclusively as Japan’s full-time DH. The 31-year-old two-way superstar will open the regular season as part of the Dodgers’ six-man rotation mix. He’ll be the first-overall selection in nearly every fantasy draft this spring.
Source: Fabian Ardaya
LAD • Two-Way Player • #17
4 months ago
Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes said during an interview with MLB Network shortly afterwards that Roki Sasaki will return to the rotation mix once spring training rolls around after an impressive closer cameo during the postseason. Roberts hinted the Dodgers will get “creative” early in the season with their pitching staff — code for something that looks and behaves like a six-man rotation without actually calling it one — as they look to preserve Ohtani, Yamamoto, Snell and Glasnow for the long haul. Nearly every contender has adopted some version of this strategy by now, and it’s the logical path for Los Angeles. We expect Emmet Sheehan to grab a spot with Sasaki also factoring into the mix during the early portion of the year.
Source: Katie Woo
LAD • Two-Way Player • #17
5 months ago
Ohtani announced on Instagram that he’ll represent Japan again in next March’s international showcase. The 31-year-old generational superstar helped deliver Japan the 2023 World Baseball Classic title, punctuating it with one of the defining moments of his career when he struck out Mike Trout to end the tournament. It’s unclear whether he’ll take the mound this time around, but his mere presence makes the event mandatory viewing — the kind of gravitational sports moment you rearrange your schedule around without thinking twice.
Source: Fabian Ardaya
LAD • Two-Way Player • #17
5 months ago
Ohtani captures MVP honors in unanimous fashion for the fourth time in five years after another otherworldly two-way campaign with the World Series champion Dodgers. The 31-year-old generational talent launched 55 homers and recorded a 2.87 ERA across 47 innings over 14 starts in his return to the mound. He’s taken home back-to-back MVP Awards on the senior circuit since arriving in Los Angeles. Ohtani received all 30 first-place votes, finishing ahead of Kyle Schwarber — who netted 23 of 30 second-place votes — and Juan Soto in this year’s NL MVP Award balloting.
Source: MLB.com
LAD • Two-Way Player • #17
6 months ago
The American League winners will be announced on Friday night. Here is the complete list of winners for the senior circuit: Hunter Goodman (C), Pete Alonso (1B), Ketel Marte (2B), Manny Machado (3B), Geraldo Perdomo (SS), Juan Soto (OF), Corbin Carroll (OF), Kyle Tucker (OF), Ohtani (DH) and Alec Burleson (UTIL). Ohtani has claimed the award in back-to-back seasons since joining the Dodgers and four times overall in his career. Soto takes home the honor in his Mets debut, giving him six in eight seasons. At this rate, he might need an entire room just to display them all by the time his 15-year megadeal is through. Alonso, Perdomo, Goodman, Carroll and Burleson are all first-time winners.
Source: MLB.com
LAD • Two-Way Player • #17
6 months ago
Ohtani represents the overwhelming favorite to capture MVP honors for the fourth time in five years after another otherworldly two-way campaign for the World Series champion Dodgers, launching 55 home runs and posting a 2.87 ERA across 47 innings over 14 starts in his return to the mound. Schwarber did everything possible to make this a close race, blasting a career-high 56 homers and driving in 132 runs during his age-32 season with the Phillies before hitting free agency. Soto capped his first year with the Mets by leading the majors in walks (127) and on-base percentage (.396) while also setting career highs with 43 homers and 38 stolen bases. The winner will be announced on Thursday, November 13.
Source: MLB
LAD • Two-Way Player • #17
6 months ago
The 31-year-old two-way superstar punched out three batters on the evening while issuing a pair of free passes. He escaped a bases-loaded jam in the second inning by striking out Andrés Giménez but wasn’t as fortunate in the third where he served up a three-run blast to Bo Bichette. Ohtani got six whiffs on 51 pitches on the night, posting a CSW of 31%. Ohtani allowed seven runs on 11 hits over 8 1/3 innings during his two starts in the World Series. He went 2-for-5 with a pair of singles and a walk at the dish during the epic come-from-behind victory.