Shohei Ohtani Provides Positive Update After Worrisome Injury Scare

Ohtani threw six consecutive balls against the Reds and then left the game.

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) gestures at home plate in the third inning between Cincinnati Reds and Los Angeles Dodgers at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on July 30, 2025. | Albert Cesare/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

10:50 p.m. ET: Ohtani said he left with cramps in his hip.

Shohei Ohtani (3.0 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 51 P, 0-5) talks with the media after leaving his start with cramps in the #Dodgers 5-2 loss to the Reds in the series finale. pic.twitter.com/0F0NdkXuBr

— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) July 31, 2025

8:40 p.m. ET: In a developing and worrisome story, Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani has left the game on Wednesday.

After throwing six consecutive balls against the Cincinnati Reds, Ohtani was seen by the trainers. At this time, there's no indication of what was bothering him.

Shohei Ohtani left the game with a trainer after these six consecutive balls pic.twitter.com/gUyJSEMZMv

— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) July 31, 2025

Shohei Ohtani has left his start in the middle of an at-bat after throwing six consecutive balls, two of which were yanked fastballs that were wild pitches. pic.twitter.com/2sR6Tt3W0Y

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 31, 2025

Ohtani officially lasted three innings, giving up two earned runs on five hits. He walked two and struck out four. He's been on the mend after missing the entire 2024 season on the mound with Tommy John surgery. He's worked back slowly and has thrown 15 innings now this season.

The Dodgers, the presumptive World Series favorites, were hoping to have Ohtani fully built up by the playoffs. They have dealt with several pitching injuries this season, with Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell missing several starts. Snell has only made two starts the entire campaign, but he's set to return from the injured list this upcoming weekend.

It should be noted that Ohtani remained in the game as a designated hitter, and the Dodgers can ill-afford to lose him from their lineup. At the time of this posting, he's hitting .271 with 38 home runs. He's in the conversation for the National League MVP, which he also won last year.

The Dodgers are off on Thursday, but they will be back in action on Friday night when they take on the Tampa Bay Rays at Steinbrenner Field.

First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. ET as Clayton Kershaw takes the mound. With the trade deadline coming on Thursday, it remains to be seen what the roster will look like on that Friday contest.

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