Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani is being removed as a pitcher from Wednesday’s game in the bottom of the fourth inning.
Ohtani came off the mound and went straight to the clubhouse in the dugout.
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Before exiting, Ohtani threw six straight balls — two of which were wild pitches — as he pitched into the fourth inning for the first time this season.
Ohtani would end up coming back from the clubhouse after his exit and rejoined the team in the dugout.
Ohtani threw 51 pitches (the most in any outing this season), allowing five hits and two earned runs with four strikeouts and a pair of walks. Ohtani also generated nine swings-and-misses during his time on the mound.
The fastest pitch of Ohtani’s afternoon was a 101 mph four-seam fastball to Elly De La Cruz.
Ohtani’s average fastball velocity this season has been 97.8 mph, which is good for the 94th percentile among qualified pitchers. Batters have an average of .150 against the 91 fastballs Ohtani has thrown this season, with a swing-and-miss rate of 22.4 percent.
Ohtani was able to warm up in the on-deck circle ahead of the fifth inning, and will stay in the game as the team’s designated hitter.
It appears any major crises was averted, at least for Ohtani the hitter.
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Photo Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
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