Shohei Ohtani Injury Update: Dodgers Superstar Takes Liner Off Thigh in Rockies Loss

By Oliver Wiener August 23, 2025 15:48

In a tough outing on August 20, 2025, Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani faced both adversity and resilience during the team's 8-3 loss to the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Ohtani, who was pitching for the Dodgers, ended up taking a 93 mph line drive directly to his right thigh, yet managed to finish the inning before being pulled from the game. While the injury caused some concern, early reports and comments from Ohtani and the Dodgers' management suggest a sense of cautious optimism regarding his recovery and return.

The line drive came in the fourth inning off the bat of Rockies infielder Orlando Arcia. The ball struck Ohtani squarely on the upper right leg, just above the knee, causing him to limp and grimace but he maintained his composure to complete the inning. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts described the moment as "fortunate" that the liner hit the thigh instead of the kneecap or bone, which could have led to a more severe injury. Roberts noted, “I was really relieved it was the thigh because it hit him squarely. If it had been the kneecap, we'd be having a different conversation”.

Despite the impact, Ohtani remained in the game to pitch four innings, though it was a challenging performance by his standards. He allowed five earned runs and nine hits, tying a career high in hits allowed in a single outing. His earned run average (ERA) for the season rose to 4.61 after this start. Ohtani also struck out three batters and threw 66 pitches, 49 of which were strikes. These numbers reflect a rough night on the mound, his most difficult pitching performance since returning from Tommy John surgery. "It was just a very regrettable outing. I put the team in a bad spot. I wish I could have done better," Ohtani said through translator Will Ireton, taking responsibility for the performance while acknowledging the challenges he faced including the impact of Colorado's high-altitude conditions on the ball’s movement.

After the game, Ohtani and the Dodgers training staff examined the injury, which was identified as a thigh contusion causing some swelling and stiffness. Roberts planned to rest Ohtani the next day, and the Dodgers are optimistic that he will be ready to pitch again in their upcoming series against the San Diego Padres. Ohtani himself expressed a positive outlook, saying, “I'm glad it didn't hit the knee. I think we avoided the worst-case scenario. So, I'm going to focus on the treatment… The goal is to make sure that I'm back to normal again”.

Ohtani’s ability to stay on the mound after such a hit and continue competing speaks to his resilience and determination. Even in a difficult outing against a struggling Rockies team, the reigning National League MVP showed his competitive spirit. Despite the loss, Ohtani also contributed offensively with a double and a walk, extending his on-base streak to 18 games.

The Dodgers, who are in a tight division race, will rely heavily on Ohtani's return as they push towards the postseason. This incident, while unfortunate, appears not to have derailed their superstar’s campaign. Monitoring his recovery and performance in the next starts will be crucial for the Dodgers' ambitions in 2025.

In sum, while the line drive off Shohei Ohtani’s thigh was a scary moment, the outlook remains hopeful. The star player expressed regret about his pitching but is focused on treatment and a speedy return. The Dodgers’ medical team and management hope to have him back on the mound by Friday’s game, making careful management of his health a priority moving forward.

This episode highlights the physical risks of being a two-way phenomenon and the demanding nature of the MLB season, especially for a player as valuable as Ohtani. Fans and teammates alike will be rooting for his swift recovery as he continues to be a cornerstone of Dodgers baseball in 2025.