Shohei Ohtani’s ‘Back Tightened Up’

The Los Angeles Dodgers bounced back with a 5-0 win over the San Diego Padres on Saturday, but the bigger storyline was Shohei Ohtani exiting the game early due to a potential injury.

With two outs in the ninth, Ohtani was pinch hit for Kiké Hernández. There was some initial thought that the two-way star had been removed due to the Dodgers holding a comfortable lead, but manager Dave Roberts revealed that wasn’t the case.

Ohtani left the game because of a back issue, via SportsNet LA:

“His back tightened up. It was one of those things that I got word before his fourth at-bat his back tightened up, so being up 5-0, we didn’t want to push it. We’ll see how he comes in tomorrow.

Roberts added that Ohtani will likely be out of the Dodgers lineup for Sunday’s series finale at Petco Park:

Probably lean right now just giving him the day tomorrow. It could change, but most likely, we plan on giving him the day.

Roberts does not believe Ohtani sustained a significant injury and is simply erring on the side of caution:

Minimal. Just kind of talking to the trainers, I haven’t talked to Shohei myself yet. But right now it’s minimal, it’s more precautionary for sure.

Prior to being removed from the game, Ohtani had gone 0-for-3 with a walk and run scored. He crossed home plate on Teoscar Hernández’s grand slam in the sixth inning and showed no signs of back discomfort at the time.

After being pinch hit for in the ninth, Ohtani could no longer be spotted in the Dodgers dugout. However, the team does not appear concerned that he will need to miss an extended amount of time.

Shohei Ohtani expected to address Ippei Mizuhara plea deal

Ohtani’s former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara agreed to plead guilty to one count of bank fraud after reportedly stealing nearly $17 million from Ohtani to pay off gambling debts.

Mizuhara will be arraigned on Tuesday and Ohtani plans to further address the situation.