Why Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani isn’t playing vs. Diamondbacks

Shohei Ohtani has been excellent for the Los Angeles Dodgers this season… just in a way that fans aren’t used to seeing. In prior seasons, Ohtani has been an excellent hitter who is also really good when he steps on the mound. However, most fans saw that Ohtani’s skill as a hitter was better than his skill as a pitcher. This season, Ohtani has seemingly flipped the script around, showing off his elite control and precision on the mound.

Unfortunately, Ohtani has also been dealing with more injuries this year. Ohtani has been taken out of the Dodgers’ hitting lineup more than a few times this year. Against the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Japanese star was noticeably absent in the batting order despite not starting the game as a pitcher. Dave Roberts revealed the reason before the game: a blister on his pitching hand.

“Dodgers’ Dave Roberts acknowledged that Shohei Ohtani is dealing with a “small” blister on the middle finger of his pitching hand,” Bill Plunkett reported. “Could be seen picking at it during yesterday’s game. ‘Non-issue’ for his pitching starts going forward, Roberts said.”

Ohtani is coming off one of his many elite starts this year. Against the Diamondbacks, the Dodgers pitcher turned in six scoreless innings, striking out six batters and allowing just two hits. His ERA is down to just 0.74 through 10 starts this year, the best mark amongst all qualified batters by far. This is even after hitting a rough patch in May, including his previous start.

“Today was definitely a lot better than last time,” Ohtani said after yesterday’s start against the Diamondbacks. “Hard to say if today was really good, just have to look back and review it, but I could tell for sure it was better than last time.”

The Diamondbacks won their game against the Dodgers 3-2. Justin Wrobleski started for LA and turned in six scoreless innings, but the LA bullpen struggled once again, squandering the 2-0 lead the hitters built up.

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