Dodgers Teammates Pull Off Hilarious Prank of Shohei Ohtani in Dugout

Tom Dierberger | May 22, 2024

Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani returns to the dugout after scoring in the sixth inning against the Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium. / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Not much can shake Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Shohei Ohtani these days. But for a brief moment Tuesday night, Ohtani's Dodgers teammates got the best of him.

As Ohtani was preparing to step onto the field and prepare for an at-bat during the Dodgers' 7–3 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks, utility man Miguel Rojas told Ohtani he was pinch-hitting for him. Ohtani looked stunned. It took him a few moments to realize Rojas was just pulling his leg.

Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernandez witnessed the entire prank and cackled in the dugout.

ロハス『翔平の代打いってくるわ!』

大谷さん『...え?......まじ?.....え?』

テオスカー『うひゃひゃひゃひゃｗｗｗwｗｗ』 pic.twitter.com/hAGxYU3QgK

— Summer🌈 (@Showy___17) May 22, 2024

Ohtani's shocked reaction was, of course, warranted. Rojas is known for his glove—not his bat—and is hitting .261/.320/.435 in 30 games this season. Ohtani, meanwhile, leads all of baseball in batting average (.356), total hits (69) and OPS (1.080).

Ohtani went 2-for-4 on Tuesday night for his 22nd multi-hit game of the season. Nope, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts won't be considering pinch-hitting Rojas for Ohtani anytime soon.