Ohtani Exits Mound Early in Dodgers Comeback Start

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Ohtani Exits Mound Early in Dodgers Comeback Start \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Shohei Ohtani left his pitching start early against the Reds, showing possible discomfort in his elbow. He remained in the game as the designated hitter. Ohtani’s latest start was part of his gradual comeback from 2023 elbow surgery.

Quick Looks

Ohtani exits mound in 4th inning vs. Reds with trainer
Two wild pitches and six straight balls led to removal
Stayed in game as designated hitter, struck out in 6th
51 pitches thrown, allowed 2 runs on 5 hits
Wednesday was Ohtani’s 7th pitching start post-surgery
Missed all 2024 pitching due to Tommy John recovery
Dodgers planned a 4-inning limit for the outing
His last Reds start in 2023 also ended early due to injury
Still leads the NL with 38 home runs
Replaced by Anthony Banda, who gave up game-tying sac fly

Deep Look

On a summer night filled with anticipation, Shohei Ohtani’s highly watched pitching comeback took a concerning turn. The Los Angeles Dodgers’ two-way superstar exited his mound appearance early during the fourth inning of Wednesday night’s game against the Cincinnati Reds, accompanied by a team trainer after throwing six consecutive balls, including two wild pitches.

Ohtani, who leads the National League in home runs and continues to dazzle at the plate, was expected to pitch four innings — his longest outing since returning from elbow surgery — but could not complete the frame. Although he remained in the game as designated hitter, the early departure from the mound rekindled worries about his long-term durability as a pitcher.

Concern Grows Over Ohtani’s Pitching Arm

Ohtani began the fourth inning having thrown 51 pitches total — 32 for strikes — across three-plus innings. He had surrendered two runs on five hits, struck out four, and walked two. However, his command visibly unraveled at the start of the inning, prompting a mound visit from Dodgers manager Dave Roberts and the team’s medical staff.

The key moment came when Noelvi Marte singled to lead off the inning. Ohtani then uncorked two consecutive wild pitches to Tyler Stephenson, allowing Marte to reach third base. After Stephenson walked, Ohtani threw two straight balls to Spencer Steer before being pulled — signaling that something wasn’t right physically or mechanically.

He was replaced by Anthony Banda, who allowed a walk to Steer and a sacrifice fly to Will Benson, which tied the game at 2–2.

No immediate postgame medical update was provided by the Dodgers, but the cautious nature of the substitution — paired with Ohtani’s history — means that fans, analysts, and team officials are likely holding their breath until further evaluations are conducted.

A Pitching Return Years in the Making

This game marked Ohtani’s seventh mound start since undergoing Tommy John surgery on his right elbow after the 2023 season — his second such procedure. While he did not pitch at all in 2024, his offensive output was historic: 54 home runs, 59 stolen bases, and his third AL MVP award.

This season, the Dodgers had been slowly ramping up his pitching workload, carefully managing innings and pitch counts. His outings were closely monitored, with hopes of reintegrating him fully as a two-way player without sacrificing his health or elite offensive production.

Wednesday’s start was especially meaningful because it was supposed to extend Ohtani’s limits — from short appearances to a full four-inning target — a significant step in his return. That plan was derailed just as it was entering its most critical test.

Uncomfortable Déjà Vu vs. the Reds

Ironically — and perhaps ominously — the last time Ohtani faced the Cincinnati Reds as a pitcher was on August 23, 2023, during his time with the Los Angeles Angels. That game ended abruptly when Ohtani left in the second inning due to discomfort in his throwing arm. He was later diagnosed with a torn ulnar collateral ligament, which led to his second Tommy John surgery and the end of his 2023 pitching campaign.

That eerie similarity wasn’t lost on fans or broadcasters. What was supposed to be a triumphant checkpoint in his comeback turned into a moment of renewed concern — made worse by the fact that it happened against the same team, in a similar fashion.

The $700 Million Decision

The Dodgers made a massive commitment to Ohtani in the 2023–2024 offseason, signing him to a 10-year, $700 million contract. The structure of the deal — which includes significant deferred payments — was built around both his marketability and elite two-way abilities.

But that contract also came with the understanding that his pitching would require a gradual and uncertain reintroduction. While Ohtani has fully delivered on offense, any pause or derailment in his pitching return could reframe how the Dodgers manage his dual-role future.

Pitching Performance Breakdown

Despite the abbreviated outing, Ohtani’s pitching line on Wednesday was solid through three innings before the wheels came off in the fourth:

3.0+ innings pitched
5 hits allowed
2 earned runs
4 strikeouts
2 walks
2 wild pitches

His early innings showed glimpses of his high-velocity fastball and biting splitter, but his command slipped noticeably by the fourth, perhaps indicating fatigue, discomfort, or mechanical breakdown.

What’s Next for Ohtani and the Dodgers?

As of now, there’s no official word on whether Ohtani’s removal was precautionary or reflective of a larger issue. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said postgame that the team would evaluate Ohtani “day to day,” but all eyes are on the results of any upcoming medical scans or evaluations.

If Ohtani’s mound appearances are paused again, the Dodgers will likely continue to deploy him as a full-time designated hitter, which still makes him one of the most valuable offensive weapons in baseball.

Still, the long-term vision has always been a true two-way Ohtani, and any disruption to that model could alter the Dodgers’ rotation plans, bullpen usage, and postseason strategies.

The team may also choose to delay his next pitching appearance or reduce his expected workload — a strategy they’ve previously used during recovery phases.

For now, Ohtani remains in the lineup as a hitter — and as long as he’s healthy enough to swing the bat, the Dodgers will continue to benefit from his elite offensive production.