After he was virtually untouchable in his first nine appearances of the season, Shohei Ohtani, the pitcher, is mired in a two-start funk on the mound.
Ohtani, who gave up one or no runs in eight of his first nine starts, gave up more runs in one inning — four — on Wednesday, June 17 than he did in his first five starts. And now he has a pair of nagging physical issues to monitor.
Making his first start since sitting out a game as a hitter due to left knee inflammation, Ohtani was peppered for four singles, a double and a walk as the Tampa Bay Rays batted around in the fifth inning.
After the inning, cameras caught small traces of blood on his pants, presumably from a finger on his right hand, although Ohtani came out to pitch a scoreless sixth and even served as pinch-hitter in the bottom of the inning.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
April 21, 2026: Shohei Ohtani bats against San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Landen Roupp at Oracle Park.
(D. Ross Cameron, Imagn Images)
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April 21, 2026: Shohei Ohtani bats against San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Landen Roupp at Oracle Park.
(D. Ross Cameron, Imagn Images)
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
Oct. 17, 2025: Shohei Ohtani celebrates with teammates in the clubhouse after defeating the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 4 of the NLCS at Dodger Stadium.
(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
(Jayne Kamin-Oncea, Imagn Images)
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
Oct. 4, 2025: Shohei Ohtani made his first postseason pitching appearance in NLDS Game 1 against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The Los Angeles Dodgers prevailed, 5-3, and Ohtani got the win.
(Eric Hartline, Imagn Images)
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
Sept. 9, 2025: Shohei Ohtani steals second base under the tag of Colorado Rockies second baseman Tyler Freeman during the third inning at Dodger Stadium.
(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
Aug. 27, 2025: Shohei Ohtani is interviewed by Spectrum SportsNet reporter David Vassegh (right) alongside translator Will Ireton after a game against the Cincinnati Reds at Dodger Stadium.
(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
Aug. 20, 2025: Shohei Ohtani delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field.
(Ron Chenoy, Imagn Images)
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
July 15, 2025: Shohei Ohtani does an interview on the red carpet before the 2025 MLB All-Star Game at Truist Park in Atlanta.
(Brett Davis, Imagn Images)
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
June 16, 2025: Shohei Ohtani makes his pitching debut for the Los Angeles Dodgers against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium.
(Jayne Kamin-Oncea, Imagn Images)
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
April 2, 2025: Shohei Ohtani is greeted at home after hitting a walk-off home run against the Atlanta Braves during the ninth inning at Dodger Stadium. The Los Angeles Dodgers won the game, 6-5, on what was Shohei Ohtani bobblehead night.
(Gary A. Vasquez, Imagn Images)
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
March 19, 2025: Shohei Ohtani is introduced and enters the field before the Los Angeles Dodgers’ game against the Chicago Cubs during the Tokyo Series at Tokyo Dome. The Dodgers won the game, 6-3.
(Darren Yamashita, Imagn Images)
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
March 18, 2025: The scoreboard at the Tokyo Dome shows a photo of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani before the season opener against the Chicago Cubs during the Tokyo Series. The Dodgers won the game, 4-1.
(Darren Yamashita, Imagn Images)
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
Nov. 1, 2024: Shohei Ohtani holds his dog, Decoy, as he walks with off the field his wife Mamiko Tanaka following the Los Angeles Dodgers’ World Series championship celebration at Dodger Stadium.
(Jayne Kamin-Oncea, Imagn Images)
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
Oct. 31, 2024: Shohei Ohtani celebrates with the Commissioner’s Trophy after the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the New York Yankees in Game 4 to win the 2024 World Series at Yankee Stadium.
(Brad Penner, Imagn Images)
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
Oct. 30, 2024: Shohei Ohtani (17) and the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate after defeating the New York Yankees in Game 4 to win the 2024 World Series at Yankee Stadium.
(Robert Deutsch, Imagn Images)
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
Sept. 19, 2024: Shohei Ohtani reacts to a standing ovation from the fans after hitting his 50th home run of the season. He hit it against the Miami Marlins during the seventh inning at loanDepot Park.
(Sam Navarro, Imagn Images)
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
Aug. 28, 2024: Shohei Ohtani with his dog Decoy after he delivered he first pitch before a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Dodger Stadium.
(Jayne Kamin-Oncea, USA TODAY Sports)
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
Aug. 24: Shohei Ohtani is doused after he joined the 40-40 club with a walk-off grand slam.
(Jayne Kamin-Oncea, USA TODAY Sports)
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
July 25, 2024: Shohei Ohtani runs the bases after hitting a solo home run against the San Francisco Giants during the eighth inning at Dodger Stadium.
(Gary A. Vasquez, USA TODAY Sports)
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
July 16, 2024: Shohei Ohtani celebrates after hitting a three-run home run during the third inning of the 2024 MLB All-Star Game at Globe Life Field.
(Kevin Jairaj, USA TODAY Sports)
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
July 16, 2024: Shohei Ohtani walks the red carpet with wife Mamiko Tanaka before the 2024 MLB All-Star Game at Globe Life Field.
(Kevin Jairaj, USA TODAY Sports)
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April 29, 2024: Shohei Ohtani breaks for third base against the Diamondbacks.
(Michael Chow, USA TODAY NETWORK)
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
April 26, 2024: Shohei Ohtani rounds the bases after hitting a home run against the Blue Jays.
(Nick Turchiaro, USA TODAY Sports)
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
April 24, 2024: Shohei Ohtani gestures to his dugout at second base after hitting an RBI double against the Nationals.
(Geoff Burke, USA TODAY Sports)
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
April 23, 2024: Shohei Ohtani in the outfield during a throwing session prior to the Dodgers’ game.
(Geoff Burke, USA TODAY Sports)
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April 21, 2024: Shohei Ohtani hits a solo homer against the Mets during the third inning at Dodger Stadium.
(Jonathan Hui, USA TODAY Sports)
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
April 12, 2024: Shohei Ohtani is showered with sunflower seeds after hitting a solo home run in the first inning against the Padres.
(Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports)
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April 9, 2024: Shohei Ohtani hits a fly ball against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field.
(Jesse Johnson, USA TODAY Sports)
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April 7, 2024: Shohei Ohtani gestures after hitting a one-run double against the Cubs at Wrigley Field.
(David Banks, USA TODAY Sports)
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April 5, 2024: Shohei Ohtani hits a two-run home run against the Cubs at Wrigley Field.
(Matt Marton, USA TODAY Sports)
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April 2, 2024: Shohei Ohtani waits on deck in the first inning against the Giants at Dodger Stadium.
(Jayne Kamin-Oncea, USA TODAY Sports)
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
March 28, 2024: Shohei Ohtani makes his Opening Day debut against the St. Louis Cardinals at Dodger Stadium.
(Jason Parkhurst, USA TODAY Sports)
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March 20, 2024: Shohei Ohtani gets his first hit as a Dodger in the third inning during the 2024 Seoul Series game against the Padres.
(Chung Sung-Jun, Getty Images)
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
March 20, 2024: Mamiko Tanaka, wife of Shohei Ohtani, watches Ohtani’s debut as a Dodger in the season opener in Seoul, South Korea.
(Chung Sung-Jun, Getty Images)
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
March 13, 2024: Shohei Ohtani signs autographs before the spring training game against the Seattle Mariners at Camelback Ranch.
(Mark J. Rebilas, USA TODAY Sports)
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
March 5, 2024: Shohei Ohtani talks with former Los Angeles Angels teammate Mike Trout before a spring game.
(Allan Henry, USA TODAY Sports)
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March 3, 2024: Shohei Ohtani looks on from the dugout during a spring training game against the Colorado Rockies at Camelback Ranch.
(Mark J. Rebilas, USA TODAY Sports)
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
Feb 21, 2024: Shohei Ohtani (left) and pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto poses during picture day at Camelback Ranch.
(Mark J. Rebilas, USA TODAY Sports)
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
Feb 21, 2024: Shohei Ohtani poses for a portrait during picture day at Camelback Ranch.
(Mark J. Rebilas, USA TODAY Sports)
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Feb. 14, 2024: Shohei Ohtani takes batting practice during a Spring Training workout at Camelback Ranch.
(Joe Camporeale, Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports)
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
Dec. 21, 2023: Shohei Ohtani and interpreter Ippei Mizuhara (right) pose with Los Angeles Rams mascot Rampage at SoFi Stadium.
(Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports)
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Dec. 14, 2023: Shohei Ohtani and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts pose for pictures during the press conference.
(Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports)
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Dec. 14, 2023: Shohei Ohtani is introduced by the Los Angeles Dodgers for the first time at a press conference at Dodger Stadium.
(Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports)
And he’s now in line for the win, after Freddie Freeman clubbed a go-ahead two-run home run in the bottom of the sixth, erasing a deficit and giving the Dodgers a 5-4 lead.
Yet the good vibes were at least partially tempered by the notion Ohtani hasn’t been as indomitable of late as he was in the season’s first third.
The bad inning Wednesday was fueled in part by his tardiness covering first base on a groundball to Freeman, who glanced momentarily toward second, freezing Ohtani in his journey off the mound. Soon, a 2-0 Dodgers lead was a 4-2 deficit.
And after Ohtani’s six innings of seven-hit, four-run, one-walk, five-strikeout work against the Rays, his ERA stood at 1.49. Elite, to be sure, but when he took the mound in Pittsburgh one week ago, it was at an absurd 0.74.
Ohtani allowed a season-high 10 baserunners and gave up a season-high three earned runs to the Pirates in that game and a day later, was removed from the game due to left knee inflammation.
Ohtani sat out just one game as DH, and manager Dave Roberts said he remained on track to make his assignment against the Rays. That he did, though it went south after four innings, and now the finger issue may be one to further monitor for the Dodgers.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Shohei Ohtani’s ERA has doubled in last two starts after tough June 17 outing
