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Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani Reacts to Viral Hit by Pitch Against Padres

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Sam Bernardi | Last updated Jun 18, 2025 4:41 PM ET

The Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres are reaching their boiling points.

On Monday, Dodgers center fielder Andy Pages took exception to being hit by a pitch. Los Angeles retaliated on Tuesday by plunking Fernando Tatis Jr. in the top of the third inning. In the bottom half of the inning, Shohei Ohtani caught one in the upper leg.

With bragging rights for Southern California, the National League West, and perhaps the National League pennant on the line, this rivalry feels like a powder keg now more than ever.

However, one of the primary members of these tension-filled battles has been Ohtani, who took a seemingly light-hearted approach on Instagram.

Ohtani is intentionally reserved and does not often over-share. This post was no different, and it could mean a number of things. Is Ohtani mocking San Diego’s Randy Vásquez for throwing at him? Or, is he merely trying to diffuse the situation with an awkward, funny image of himself for millions to view?

Regardless of Ohtani’s intentions, this will likely do little to ease the hard feelings between these bitter rivals.

Plus, defeating the Padres in a mid-June series is far from Ohtani’s top priority. He recently made his pitching debut, throwing one inning in Monday’s contest. He needs to balance that unusual rehab assignment in the Majors with his quest for a fourth MVP.

Ohtani is currently batting .296 with a 1.027 OPS, a 187 OPS+, 25 home runs, 43 RBIs, 73 runs, 11 steals, and a 45:85 BB:K ratio. Should he stay healthy, that NL MVP is assuredly staying with him.

For now, watch out for more fireworks between Los Angeles and San Diego.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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