Shohei Ohtani faced a scary moment in his start Wednesday when he took a line drive from Rockies third baseman Orlando Arcia square on the leg.
With two runners in scoring position in the fourth inning, Arcia hit a ball right back up the middle as Ohtani simultaneously attempted to get out of the way and make the play. He couldn't get his glove on the ball in time as the contact with his leg made an audible noise. He ran to grab the ball and try to make a play at first but couldn't make the throw in time and he came up hobbling after the play.
Shohei Ohtani took a come backer off the leg and had to limp it off but stayed in the game pic.twitter.com/TvouRzHyHk
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) August 21, 2025
The Dodgers' medical staff ran out to check on their superstar as he limped back to the mound. After a brief conversation, Ohtani stayed in the game and finished out the inning. His day on the hill was over after the fourth, though. When done on the mound, he stayed in the game as L.A.'s designated hitter and walked in the fifth, but the Dodgers pinch hit Alex Call for Ohtani in his following at-bat.
There's currently no word on whether the late removal is due to a potential injury to his leg following the come-backer from Arcia. Hopefully the fact that he continued pitching and then took an at-bat is a positive sign.
Nevertheless, the scary moment caused Dodgers fans to collectively hold their breath:
Well my life flashed before my eyes…😦 https://t.co/8xdYrZDN1a
— Louis Valverde (@therealValverde) August 21, 2025
Shohei Ohtani remained in the game as the Dodgers DH and drew a walk. Phew...https://t.co/Tih27lV7kO
— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) August 21, 2025
Orlando Arcia just hit an absolute missile off the leg of Shohei Ohtani pic.twitter.com/ewhHdLIrgZ
— Tommy Maroon (@tommymaroon2) August 21, 2025
This might be really bad https://t.co/EH7O8bLGaP
— Timothy Meeker (@1fankcroyals) August 21, 2025
Alex Call just pinch hit for Shohei Ohtani. We'll find out soon enough if he Dave Roberts was just getting him off his feet, or if his leg is hurting after that comebacker. If he's hurt, then it's a complete disaster.
— Josh Gitt (@joshgitt1987) August 21, 2025
Shohei Ohtani took a liner right off his plant leg. He stayed in but was clearly shaken up initially pic.twitter.com/G0mjDTHtaR
— Mike Kurland (@Mike_Kurland) August 21, 2025
In the four innings thrown, Ohtani let up five earned runs and nine hits while striking out three batters. His ERA for the season moved to 4.61.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Dodgers Fans Held Their Breath After Shohei Ohtani Was Hit With a Come-Backer.
