Shohei Ohtani was hit on the right hand by a pitch and left the Los Angeles Dodgers' game against the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday night, according to an Associated Press report carried by the Winnipeg Free Press.
The two-way superstar was struck by Rockies starter Kyle Freeland in the fourth inning. Ohtani remained in the game long enough to ground out in the fifth before exiting. He finished the night 0 for 2 with a run scored.
Ohtani is scheduled to start on the mound for the Dodgers in the series finale on Wednesday. Manager Dave Roberts said before the game Tuesday that Ohtani likely would hit as well.
The incident occurred at the Dodgers' home ballpark in Los Angeles. The brief report did not provide further details on Ohtani's condition or whether he would be available to pitch the following day as planned.
Freeland, the Rockies right-hander, delivered the pitch that struck Ohtani during his at-bat in the fourth. No immediate reaction from Ohtani or the Dodgers training staff was included in the initial dispatch.
The game marked another appearance for Ohtani in his dual role as both a hitter and pitcher for Los Angeles. Tuesday's contest was part of a series between the Dodgers and Rockies that concludes Wednesday.
According to the report, Ohtani's early exit came after he had already contributed a run earlier in the contest. His performance at the plate was limited to the two hitless at-bats before he departed.
Roberts' pregame comments indicated the team had intended for Ohtani to take his regular turn in the batting order even on a day he was slated to pitch the next evening. The manager's remarks came before the pitch that forced Ohtani from the lineup.
The Associated Press account repeated the core facts of the play multiple times in its filing, underscoring the basic sequence of events without additional commentary or updates on Ohtani's status.
Further information on whether Ohtani suffered any significant injury or how the Dodgers would adjust their Wednesday plans was not available in the report. The team has not issued any additional statements at this time.
Ohtani's role as a two-way player has drawn considerable attention throughout the season, with the club balancing his starts on the mound alongside his everyday duties in the batter's box.
The Rockies-Dodgers matchup on Tuesday night proceeded after the incident, though the final score and other game details were not part of the initial report.