Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani narrowly avoided a potential injury during the team's recent victory over the Philadelphia Phillies. The incident occurred as Ohtani and outfielder Alex Call were jumping over the dugout barrier following the Dodgers' 9-5 win on Wednesday.
A video circulating on social media captured the moment when Call's left cleat inadvertently spiked Ohtani's right elbow as they navigated the barrier. Ohtani visibly reacted in pain, recoiling and briefly shaking out his arm before rejoining his teammates.
There have been no reports or indications of a new injury resulting from the close call. Ohtani is already being monitored for lingering left knee irritation, which has kept him from pitching.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts noted that Ohtani throwing a bullpen session before Wednesday's game was a "big sign" for his recovery. However, a timeline for Ohtani's return to the mound in a game has not yet been established. Ohtani has attributed his knee irritation to the pressure on his front landing leg during pitching, while Roberts described it as "wear and tear" from his demanding two-way role this season.
The incident highlights the continued attention on Ohtani's health as the Dodgers aim to manage his workload throughout the season. The team cannot afford additional time missed by their star player due to unforeseen circumstances.