Shohei Ohtani exits start early with Dodgers trainer after throwing 6 straight balls

Ohtani has been slowly ramping up in his return from a 2023 UCL surgery.

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds Wednesday, July 30, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Shohei Ohtani's latest start on the mound had a rough end. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
ASSOCIATED PRESS

Shohei Ohtani left his seventh start as a pitcher this season with some cause for concern.

The Los Angeles Dodgers star pitched into the fourth inning for the first time this season as he slowly ramps up in his return from UCL surgery in 2023, but exited the game mid-plate appearance after throwing six straight balls against the Cincinnati Reds.

Ohtani didn't appear to be in pain, but he was clearly frustrated. The Reds playing Daniel Powter's "Bad Day" didn't help. 

Ohtani was replaced on the mound by reliever Anthony Banda and remained in the dugout, with no one attending to him as Banda resumed play against Spencer Steer. It's unclear if he sustained any injury, but the Dodgers were clearly worried about something.

This article will be updated with more information.

Category: General Sports