Shohei Ohtani Delays His Next Start as a Pitcher
The Los Angeles Dodgers’ two-way star, Shohei Ohtani, will make his next pitching start on Monday against Colorado in Los Angeles. Ohtani was scheduled to start on Wednesday in Pittsburgh. However, due to a chest cold, he was limited to designated hitter duties, and Emmet Sheehan opened the game for the Dodgers. The Dodgers catcher, Will Smith, was not in the lineup for Thursday’s game against the Pirates. The three-time All-Star suffered a contusion on his right hand on Wednesday when a foul ball hit him.Roberts explained that the decision to postpone Ohtani’s next opening until next week was made to give him enough time to recover. The 2024 National League Most Valuable Player will continue as a designated hitter.Manager Dave Roberts said Smith likely won’t play in the three-game series in Baltimore starting Friday.
Dave Roberts
Ohtani didn’t pitch last season, his first with the Dodgers, while recovering from his second Tommy John surgery on his elbow. Ohtani made his mound debut this season on June 16 and has a 1-1 record and a 4.18 ERA in 11 starts. Ohtani is batting .280 with 46 home runs in 136 games. He leads the National League with 125 runs scored and a slugging percentage of .610. Smith’s hand X-rays on Wednesday night were negative. He underwent imaging tests on Thursday, and the results were not immediately available. Smith is batting .296 with 17 home runs in 109 games. Rookie catcher Dalton Rushing will be in charge of most of the work behind the plate while Smith is out. The Dodgers selected veteran catcher Ben Rortvedt’s contract from Triple-A Oklahoma City and optioned infielder Alex Freeland to the same club. Right-handed pitcher Alexis Díaz, an All-Star in 2023 with Cincinnati, was designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster for Rortvedt. Rortvedt has spent all or part of four seasons in the Major Leagues with Minnesota, the New York Yankees, and Tampa Bay. He is a .186 hitter in 209 career games. Third baseman Max Muncy is also expected to begin a rehab assignment with Oklahoma City on Thursday night. Muncy was placed on the injured list with a right oblique strain on August 15.You want to give him the best chance to throw five innings in his next start.
Dave Roberts
