Dodgers fans were dealt a scare last night when superstar slugger Shohei Ohtani was pulled in the ninth inning of yesterday’s game against San Diego. Fortunately, manager Dave Roberts told reporters (including Jack Harris of the L.A. Times) that while Ohtani departed the game due to a bout of back tightness, the club’s concern over the issue is “minimal” at the moment. Roberts said that he’d see how the 29-year-old phenom is feeling today but was tentatively planning on giving him the day off in order to rest the issue.
All eyes around the baseball world were on Ohtani this past winter as he signed a record-shattering ten-year deal with the Dodgers that guarantees him $700MM, though heavy deferrals limit the net-present value of the pact to “just” $460MM. While Ohtani won’t flash his two-way talents this season after undergoing elbow surgery last year, the early returns on that deal could hardly be better as he’s slashed a staggering .352/.423/.667 in his first 40 games as a Dodger. To this point in the season, Ohtani leads the majors in hits, doubles, slugging percentage, and OPS while also leading the National League in batting average and having clubbed 11 home runs in just 183 trips to the plate.
Given Ohtani’s otherworldly performance with the bat this season, even a brief absence would constitute a major blow to the Dodgers’ lineup. Miguel Rojas or Enrique Hernandez appear to be the most likely options to join the club’s starting lineup should Ohtani require a day or two of rest, and a longer absence could open the door for youngster Miguel Vargas to get a crack at big league action. (UPDATE: Roberts told reporters that Ohtani is expected to return to the lineup tomorrow, per Juan Toribio of MLB.com)
More from the Dodgers…
- Roberts also told reporters yesterday that outfielder Jason Heyward is making great progress while rehabbing from a bout of lower back tightness. Roberts told reporters (including Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register) that Heyward was slated to continue facing live pitchers today before starting a rehab assignment at Triple-A on Tuesday. MLB.com’s Injury Tracker adds that Heyward is currently feeling healthy and that, according to Roberts, the length of his rehab assignment will be determined by how long it takes for him to feel comfortable with his swing. According to Plunkett, Roberts suggested that the veteran may only need two rehab games before returning to the majors. Heyward enjoyed a breakout season with the Dodgers last year, slashing a solid .269/.340/.473 in 124 games after struggling badly the prior seven seasons, all of which came as a member of the Cubs. Andy Pages has been filling in for Heyward in right field and has impressed across his first 22 games in the majors.
- Right-hander Bobby Miller is set to throw a bullpen session today, as noted by Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. Miller has been on the injured list for the past month due to shoulder inflammation but is now ramping up baseball activity, with Ardaya added that he’s expected to face live hitters for the first time in San Francisco on Wednesday. Miller impressed in his rookie season with the Dodgers last year, becoming their most reliably starting pitcher over the course of the season with a 3.76 ERA and 3.51 FIP in 124 1/3 innings of work. Miller began the season in the club’s rotation but ultimately made just three starts before going on the shelf, posting a 5.40 ERA in 11 2/3 innings of work in those appearances. The Dodgers rotation has handled Miller’s absence rather well, with righty Gavin Stone currently holding down the fifth starter spot behind Tyler Glasnow, Walker Buehler, James Paxton, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
Trojan Toss
Maybe the Dodgers will finally end their World Series drought sometime in the next decade.
Tim Regan
What “drought”?
Trojan Toss
35 years and counting.
balk7
“2020 would have only counted if my favorite team had won.” ~Don’t Care
underdog
This, this, this. But clearly, when a troll tells you clearly who they are in their handle, don’t waste your time.
aragon
*** win.
I Believe We Can Win
Realigned divisions
1/3 the games
Toronto barred from playing in their home city
Covid rules impacting teams differently throughout the shortened season. States had their own rules which varied greatly
Players ruled ineligible if they had it or were a close contact or didn’t follow protocol even if they were healthy and tested negative.
No fans in stands
Players opting out
7 inning no hitters aren’t recognized by mlb as no hitters (77% of a game completed). Bumgarner pitched a 7 inning no hitter. Not recognized by mlb as one.
But sure. It’s a legit championship completing only about 30% of a season.
B-rocker
Whatever makes you feel better
I Believe We Can Win
Facts hurt I know. It’s an unofficial title. Congrats on a participation trophy. Now go win an official title. Been 35 years
Oldguy58
The season was so short, Dave Robert didn’t have a chance to screw things up for them
But I bet Ohtani is fine and I bet he’ll be back very soon
Jerry Hairston Jr's Toupee
Apparently, the facts hurt your bottom so much. You gotta pretend your opinion matters….
I Believe We Can Win
You cared enough to respond. Took time out of your day to do so.
Jerry Hairston Jr's Toupee
Ain’t no thang. Just enjoy putting delusional nuts in their place….
I Believe We Can Win
You suck at your job then. Lmao.
fox471 Dave
Everything that ibelieve whatever stated is true, which is why 2020 was one of the most difficult seasons in baseball history. The Dodgers are definitely legitimate World Series winners and that cannot be denied.
Jerry Hairston Jr's Toupee
If you disagree with Major League Baseball, that’s your problem. Not ours. But keep crying anyways. Your bittersweet tears are sweet nectar to us….
I Believe We Can Win
Im not disputing they won.
But I don’t think it holds the same weight as a 162 game championship.
Same could be said about cy young award winners that year
Many people were upset Blake Snell won it last year only pitching 180 innings, something about no one ever winning it has ever pitched that few of innings or something.
Well none of the 2020 guys topped 100. So do their cy young awards count if “innings” are an issue?
I Believe We Can Win
You’re spending a lot of time responding to posts you don’t think matter. And you’re not really accomplishing anything lmao. But if it makes you feel important cause you’re obviously lacking in other areas of your life do you.
Jerry Hairston Jr's Toupee
Your delusions aren’t accomplishing anything except making you more mentally ill. Apparently, you think you’re so important that we should accept your fantasies. But keep having your backside hurt by MLB and the Dodgers. We enjoy it….
I Believe We Can Win
You keep responding giving me validation. I appreciate you.
Each time you get angrier and angrier like you’re upset.
I find it funny you’re projecting how you’re feeling onto me. Your comments are filled with vitriol. Mine aren’t.
Everyone can read your comments kid and see your emotions in them. You’re coming off as a sad angry little kid who’s throwing a tantrum cause someone disagrees with you. “LEAVE THEM ALONE” crying girl energy coming off your posts.
Life’s tough get a helmet kid. You’re gonna encounter a lot of people you disagree with in life.
Jerry Hairston Jr's Toupee
Ironically, you’re the one projecting and throwing tantrums with your childish silly “recaps”. Sorry if MLB and the Dodgers hurt your backside. Reality sucks for you….
Trojan Toss
That’s enough, jerry.
I Believe We Can Win
You’re really obsessed with the backside kid. An unhealthy amount of backside are mentioned in your comments. Did someone abuse you back there or something? That’d explain the anger and obsession with someone’s back side. I’m sorry that happened to you.
Jerry Hairston Jr's Toupee
Should we file a police report for what MLB and the Dodgers did to you?
I Believe We Can Win
Jerry
“ Apparently, the facts hurt your bottom so much”
“ But keep having your backside hurt by MLB and the Dodgers”
“ Delusional fans who got their backsides hurt by the Dodgers for whatever silly reason”
Jerry really has an unhealthy obsession with the backside. Kind of creepy.
Jerry Hairston Jr's Toupee
Well, if this child can dish it out, he better be ready to take it….
Jerry Hairston Jr's Toupee
You want the last word so badly, and you’re not getting it. It’s eating you up inside….
I Believe We Can Win
Meh. Not really. Already got the last word in elsewhere lmao.
I Believe We Can Win
Winning me money every year the dodgers choke in the playoffs? They probably should file a police report. I’ve made a lot of money off their misery from suckers thinking the dodgers will finally win it all. Ungodly amount of money. Like shooting fish in a barrel.
Jerry Hairston Jr's Toupee
Child psychology 101….
Jerry Hairston Jr's Toupee
Proving my point. I can play this game til it burns a hole in your brain….
I Believe We Can Win
Lmao. Yeah you already quit responding once in this thread. Not very good at this.
Jerry Hairston Jr's Toupee
You can’t always get what you want….
I Believe We Can Win
I already did. You already quit elsewhere in the thread lmao. Gave up real quick elsewhere. Idk who quits worse you or the dodgers during the post season.
Jerry Hairston Jr's Toupee
It’s eating you up inside….
I Believe We Can Win
Meh. I’m actually waiting to see if you’ll notice where you quit before. Doubt it at this point since you haven’t responded there. The fact you don’t even know where you quit commenting is hilarious.
Jerry Hairston Jr's Toupee
Living in your head…
I Believe We Can Win
Stinky britches still hasn’t noticed where he quit commenting.
Jerry Hairston Jr's Toupee
You need it so badly….
I Believe We Can Win
Pee pants still hasn’t noticed where he quit commenting.
Jerry Hairston Jr's Toupee
I fnd it funny you’re projecting how you’re feeling onto me. Your comments are filled with vitriol. Mine aren’t.
I Believe We Can Win
Soiled pantaloons still hasn’t noticed where he quit commenting.
Jerry Hairston Jr's Toupee
Life’s tough get a helmet kid. You’re gonna encounter a lot of people you disagree with in life
I Believe We Can Win
Pisserella still hasn’t noticed where he quit commenting.
Jerry Hairston Jr's Toupee
Starting to lose composure….
I Believe We Can Win
Hershey Highway still hasn’t noticed where he quit commenting.
Jerry Hairston Jr's Toupee
Turning you inside out is too easy….
I Believe We Can Win
Everybody poops still hasn’t noticed where he quit commenting.
Jerry Hairston Jr's Toupee
Slowly driving you insane….
I Believe We Can Win
Clogged toilet still hasn’t noticed where he quit commenting.
Jerry Hairston Jr's Toupee
So eating you up inside….
I Believe We Can Win
Septic Tank still hasn’t noticed where he quit commenting.
Jerry Hairston Jr's Toupee
I apologize if these interactions cause you to do something rash tonorrow….
I Believe We Can Win
Chamber Pot still hasn’t noticed where he quit commenting.
Jerry Hairston Jr's Toupee
That’s not the point anymore. You’re slowly falling off the edge….
I Believe We Can Win
Golden Shower still hasn’t noticed where he quit commenting.
Jerry Hairston Jr's Toupee
I’m accomplishing my goal…
I Believe We Can Win
Cleveland Steamer still hasn’t noticed where he quit commenting.
Jerry Hairston Jr's Toupee
You’re starting to lose it….
I Believe We Can Win
Cow pies still hasn’t noticed where he quit commenting.
Jerry Hairston Jr's Toupee
You’re damaged now…
I Believe We Can Win
Dung Beetle still hasn’t noticed where he quit commenting.
Jerry Hairston Jr's Toupee
I got you on repeat….
I Believe We Can Win
Fecal Matter still hasn’t noticed where he quit commenting.
Jerry Hairston Jr's Toupee
My work is done. Maybe we’ll continue this tomorrow. But prolly not….
I Believe We Can Win
Last hint Jerry common let’s see if you can guess where you already quit responding
Bowel movement still hasn’t noticed where he quit commenting.
Jerry Hairston Jr's Toupee
You may have got the last word. But after this, you’ll definitely have a bad day tomorrow….
I Believe We Can Win
15 hints and Jerry wasn’t able to figure out he quit responding when I called him a dirty diaper down at the bottom of the thread.
Well thanks for playing Jerry. Really thought you’d be able to figure it out. Really let me down man. I was like “he’s smart enough to figure out where he quit responding”
Nope. Just let me call him a dirty diaper and said nothing for like 10 hours lol.
I Believe We Can Win
Dirty diaper man. Common. I gave you so many good hints. How you gonna let someone call you a dirty diaper and be like “yup” and take it on the chin like that all this time? Really disappointed Jerry. Thought you had it.
Jerry Hairston Jr's Toupee
I got to eff with your head for free. Enjoy your day tomorrow….
I Believe We Can Win
Really thought you had it dude. Kinda bummed you didn’t get it. So many good hints pointing you towards where you stopped responding.
Jerry says crybaby
I call him a dirty diaper
And Jerry just stops commenting. Just takes it.
Well maybe next time. Was a fun game at least.
SalaryCapMyth
Agree with balk and underdog. People keep trashing the Dodgers world series win in 2020 but they had the same chance as any other team. There shouldn’t be any astrix.
Jerry Hairston Jr's Toupee
There isn’t one. Delusional fans who got their backsides hurt by the Dodgers for whatever silly reason need to seek solace in their fantasies….
I Believe We Can Win
If mlb says Madison bumgarner pitching 7 inning no hitter during a double header where mlb limited the games to 7 innings not 9 is an unofficial no hitter and not recognized as one in the record books…..then the dodgers 2020 title is an unofficial one as well. Can’t have it both ways. Especially since completing 77% of a game is closer than completing 30% of a season.
mlb fan
“Pitching 7 inning no hitter”…Nice apples to oranges comparison. I do believe the 2020 MLB season is considered an “official” complete season in the record books and whatever “Madbum” does or did actually has zero bearing on that.
Jerry Hairston Jr's Toupee
You’re seekng solace in fantasies. MLB decides what’s official. Not you….
I Believe We Can Win
Hey you responded again. Man you’re really bothered by this. Nice.
I Believe We Can Win
Limiting a game to 7 innings is similar to limiting a season to 60 something games. Both decisions were made by mlb.
7 innings was an official complete game where teams were awarded a win and loss. So why isn’t it recognized as a no hitter.
Your comeback is moot cause whatever you say about 2020 season applies to 7 inning games.
MLB decided to limit double headers that year to 7 innings and decided to limit games to 60 something that year. It wasn’t weather or any other issues that caused the game to end early. It was mlbs decision to cap it at 7.
For them to not recognize a no hitter as a no hitter under their own rules they created disqualifies other things that season including the 2020 participation trophy.
MLB created the standard (you didn’t actually play 9 innings so no hitter). Not me (fine ~60 games isn’t 162 games so participation trophy).
Now if mlb recants and credit mad bum with a no hitter then that’d change things.
I Believe We Can Win
To recap
2020 mlb says
7 inning double headers
Both games are official complete games where teams are awarded wins and loses
A 7 inning no hitter isn’t recognized as an official no hitter despite the game being treated as a 9 inning game that mlb adjusted cause covid.
2020 mlb says
60~ games instead of 162
All games are official wins and losses
Count the participation trophy as a title even though mlb adjusted the number of games from 162 to 60~ cause covid.
Can’t have it both ways. Either both are legit or neither are legit.
Jerry Hairston Jr's Toupee
Actually, you’re the one bothered by it. Otherwise, you wouldn’t bring it up in every Dodger thread. Keep fantasizing while the rest of us live in reality….
Jerry Hairston Jr's Toupee
We had it both ways thanks to Major League Baseball. Now, go get your shinebox….
I Believe We Can Win
You keep responding. I’m glad you care. Thanks for taking your time to give me validation Jerry.
I Believe We Can Win
Yeah and same mlb still won’t give Armando Galarraga a no hitter based on an obvious bad ump call either. MLB gets a lot more wrong than it does right. Including how they recognize accolades in 2020.
Jerry Hairston Jr's Toupee
Oh well, your problem. Crybaby….
I Believe We Can Win
Nice insults dirty diaper.
SalaryCapMyth
MLB does recognize Bumgarners game as a no hitter.
mlb.com/news/madison-bumgarner-throws-7-inning-no-…
MLB recognizes the Dodgers 2020 season as a legitimate world series win.
Your argument is based on what MLB says right? It still falls within my argument that both sides, whether it was Bumgarners game or the Dodgers world series win, had the same chances so it’s credible.
njbirdsfan
I’ll bet Ohtani gave Dodgers fans quite the scare. Heavy emphasis on bet.
gbs42
Hilarious…
njbirdsfan
Hey man, deal with the issue, or it gets mocked. Not that hard.
gbs42
nj,
It’s being dealt with, and Ohtani has been exonerated by the feds. What more do you want?
toptimrubies
clever
Bucket Number Six
Overplayed your hand.
underdog
Good one. It’s as timely and still hiply hilarious as any great Borscht Belt comedian.
PadresWSChamps2025
Gottem
SalaryCapMyth
Just remember everyone. If you can be accused of something that could possibly fall into a conspiracy theory, you are definitely guilty.
PadresWSChamps2025
@SCM Well your team did cut Bauer.
BlueSkies_LA
Except it never happened. Otherwise, sure.
solaris602
The last thing any of us want to see is Miguel Vargas called up for any reason. He’s having a great year at AAA, but isn’t that always the case? His bat turns to dust in LA.
Motor City Beach Bum
Trade him to Detroit for a decent bullpen arm. They have lots.
outinleftfield
Must be relatively serious because he is not playing today.
Trojan Toss
Too much sitting at the betting table can cause back tightness, especially for a nearly 30 year old (all of his MLB youth is already gone).
Trojan Toss
Ohtani’s bookie injured his back?? Should have paid up.
paddyo furnichuh
Considering it’s Mother’s Day,
If your attempts at trolling/humor are this pathetic when you don’t care, your mom, sister, and/or wife(ha!) deserve much love and empathy for tolerating you.
Trojan Toss
Ok, Lou.
Oldguy58
Yeah right because we always sit down and talk about Shohei Ohtani with our moms?
BlueSkies_LA
I think what he was trying to say is the guy is clearly a jerk. I got it.
fox471 Dave
Yeah, I think you are correct, Blue. As somebody’s mom once said, “you can’t fix stupid.”
BlueSkies_LA
No, but we can still call a jerk a jerk. Sadly for some people it’s considered a compliment.
paddyo furnichuh
A jerk is an upgrade from troll, especially if it’s Steve Martin type jerk.
PutPeteinthehall
Heyward got paid five times what he’s worth from LA for 2024. He’s batted 14 times so far. Count on on him ending up on the DL with a hamstring within a few weeks of being reactivated. His agent has the ability to rob teams.
fred-3
PutPeteinthehall, does it make you feel better that you post this negative comment about someone who doesn’t even know you?
JoeBrady
LOL! That’s life in the world of the 1%ers. If you don’t like criticism become an accountant.
Wheeler Dealer
Heyward sucks
Salad Daze 22-27
He’s far more successful then you will ever be.
Poolhalljunkies
How do you know heyward is more successful the wheel dealer will ever be?
Hotdog 2
Well, if you define it by money,there is a 99.9999 percent chance he is. Unless you think social workers can be as successful as pro athletes
Van Lingle Mungo
Because Wheeler is commenting on this blog.
Hotdog 2
So is Bauer to you
its_happening
Heyward is done. Get over it.
Wheeler Dealer
He still sucks
Oldguy58
Regarding Ohtani it’s fairly simple, If you want to think he was involved then you believe he was involved if you want to think he wasn’t involved then you believe he wasn’t involved. One thing is for sure though, by the scope of the investigation or lack of investigation by major league baseball they did not want him to be involved.
JoeBrady
FWIW, I absolutely believe he was involved (almost no doubt), but I am still okay with the coverup. We need baseball a lot more than we need Ohtani suspended for a year.
BlueSkies_LA
And you believe this, why?
C Yards Jeff
Hey Nick, I guess you drew the short straw? From what I can see, this MLBTRs first attempt to write about Ohtani’s on field activity since this gambling thinger broke. Thought it was wise on MLBTRs part through this story to not mention a single word about this off field issue. Thanks for keeping it about the game.
fox471 Dave
Obviously, he was involved in the situation. A trusted employee embezzled $17 million from him. But I guess, according to you Joe, the real investigative authorities, police, DA, etc are all involved in a massive coverup so this guy can hit baseballs. I guess you got us all right.
Yankee Clipper
Where will Ohtani land on the list of baseball greats by the time he’s retired?
BlueSkies_LA
Not enough popcorn in the world for this discussion!