Dodgers' Dave Roberts Removes Shohei Ohtani From No-Hitter, Sends Internet Into Frenzy

Sep 16, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (17) smiles as he pitches to former teammate Philadelphia Phillies center fielder Brandon Marsh (16) during the fourth inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani had a no-hitter through five innings against the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday night.

More news: Dodgers’ Magic Number Shrinks Following Padres’ Blowout Loss to Mets

Manager Dave Roberts said before the game he was going to cap Ohtani's start at five innings. He did just that, despite Ohtani having a no-hitter and sitting at just 68 pitches. He had allowed just one base runner on a first inning walk.

Left-handed pitcher Justin Wrobleski replaced Ohtani and lost the no-hitter to the second batter he faced. He then gave up the 4-0 lead by allowing five straight hits, including a three-run home run to give Philadelphia a 5-4 lead.

Shohei Ohtani didn't allow a hit through five innings.

Dave Roberts took him out of the game at 68 pitches.

Justin Wrobleski allowed five straight hits, including a three-run home run, and the Dodgers' 4-0 lead is now a 5-4 deficit.

Just brutal.

— Noah Camras (@noahcamras) September 17, 2025

Why Did Dave Roberts Remove Shohei Ohtani From No-Hitter for Dodgers?

The Dodgers are being careful with Ohtani, who's taking on a greater load than anyone in baseball by both pitching and hitting.

The Dodgers have dreams of going deep into October, and a healthy Ohtani is the key to making that happen. While the Dodgers love Ohtani as a pitcher, they need Ohtani as a hitter.

More news: Dodgers' Dave Roberts Scrutinized By MLB Insider for Decision in Loss to Phillies

However, on the flip side, while Ohtani wasn't going to go nine innings even if he still had the no-hitter, with how dominant he's been, it would have made sense to at least allow him to start the sixth, especially considering the state of the bullpen.

The Dodgers had a 3-1 lead against the Phillies on Monday night before the bullpen allowed five runs in the eventual 6-5 loss.

Then again, hindsight is 20/20, and if Wrobleski pitched a shutdown inning, it wouldn't have been as bad of an issue. Nevertheless, the Dodgers are now trailing a game they should be winning as they continue to falter behind a struggling bullpen.

Dodger fans could not believe Roberts' decision to remove Ohtani from the game after five no-hit innings, and made their feelings known on social media as the LA bullpen gave up the lead:

Dave Roberts checked in with Shohei Ohtani after he pitched 5 no-hit innings vs the Phillies tonight to see if he wanted to keep going & Ohtani told Dave it was his call.

Freddie trolled Dave for looking stressed 🤣

Excellent reporting as always from @kirsten_watson 👏 pic.twitter.com/YyV2cXKAfj

— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) September 17, 2025

What a clown this Roberts is!!!Does he really know what he’s doing.

— 4 D’Win (@adep1206) September 17, 2025

Dave Roberts is terrible at knowing when you pull a pitcher. WroBLOWski shoulda been out the game after he loaded the bases

— Mr_Wright34 (@M_Wright34) September 17, 2025

No I don’t. Stop trying to make the bullpen and thing because it’s not. Play to win the game! That’s what the Dodgers need right now.

— IDriveaBMW✌🏻⚾️🏈 (@nachothepuggle) September 17, 2025

There's 12 games left in the season. What's the point of limiting Shohei's innings when the playoffs is about to start? Let him go at least 6 innings.

— DG (@_Kud0s_) September 17, 2025

I don't know which is worse. Our bullpen or our manager

— Theta Sniper (@ThetaSniper) September 17, 2025

not letting ohtani go at least another inning given the pitch count & untrustworthy bullpen is indefensible

— ali (@alij8h) September 17, 2025

Why is Shohei on a pitch limit again?

— Eric Zarate (@EZBreezy_15) September 17, 2025

This is the kind of stuff that drives me crazy about Dave Roberts. Feel the moment. Shohei probably wasn’t going to pitch a full game but he could have gone out for one more.

— reaction.gif 🇺🇸 (@TheReactionGif) September 17, 2025

Robert’s should have let Ohtani go one more inning and face the top of the lineup. Our bullpen is a freaking disaster.

— Mindy Farabee (@FarabeeM) September 17, 2025

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