I felt pain and dehydration from the first inning of the direct explanation of Ohtani's injured steel plate...I won't retreat

Jul 31, 2025

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani talks to the media after a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds Wednesday, July 30, 2025, in Cincinnati. AP Yonhap News

CINCINNATI, OHIO - JULY 30: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers is removed as a pitcher in the fourth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on July 30, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Andy Lyons/Getty Images/AFP Yonhap News

Shohei Ohtani, who was replaced during his start due to sudden muscle spasms, explained his physical condition himself.

Los Angeles Dodgers Ohtani took the mound as a starting pitcher in an away game against the Cincinnati Reds at the Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati, Ohio on the 31st (Korea time).

Ohtani, who is going through the build-up process of the starting pitcher's return project, will make his seventh start this season. Ohtani, who returned to the combined pitching and hitting job after more than a year of rehabilitation after surgery, is increasing the number of pitches step by step starting with one inning this season.

Still, he has not been able to throw more than 5 innings and more than 100 pitches. The Dodgers are watching Ohtani's return to the pitcher very carefully from the first inning. Ohtani, who played smoothly until the last three innings, was scheduled to pitch four innings against Cincinnati on the same day. He also played as a designated hitter at the same time.

Jul 30, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani (17) pitches against the Cincinnati Reds in the first inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn ImagesYonhap News

However, Ohtani, who started nervously by allowing one run from the first inning, allowed no runs in the second and third innings. However, after allowing consecutive hits, there was no control at all. When six consecutive balls went in, manager Dave Roberts quickly went up to the mound and examined Ohtani's physical condition himself, and after a while Ohtani came down the mound. However, Ohtani stopped pitching and played the game until the end as a batter, but was sluggish with no hits in five at-bats.

After the game, Ohtani said in an interview with local reporters after the game, "Sankei Sports", "It is a cramp near the right hip. I felt it from the first episode. Note I could have gone up to the second and third episodes, but it was a little difficult at the end (four episodes)."

Immediately after the start of the game, the balance was disrupted due to cramps in the right hip muscle. First of all, it is hopeful that it is not an elbow or shoulder injury. Ohtani explained "This is the first time I've had muscle spasms on this side"

The hot weather in Cincinnati also played a part. At the start of the game, Cincinnati was hot and humid with temperatures of 32 degrees Celsius and humidity of about 70%. In response, Ohtani responded "Yesterday and today, I'm a little dehydrated. Still, it feels good when you grip the ball (because of humidity). The sweeper was good, and I think there are good and bad things about humidity", he explained.

However, Ohtani confirmed on the same day that his early replacement would not be a retreat in the starting pitcher's return stage. Ohtani added "I don't think I'm going to retreat. However, I'm not in a good condition yesterday and today, so I think my next pitching schedule will be decided after I rest and clean up", he predicted.

This article was translated by Naver AI translator.