Shohei Ohtani was dealing with more than just the Tampa Bay Rays lineup on Wednesday night. The Los Angeles Dodgers superstar found himself battling through a painful blister that left his pitching hand bloodied during a gritty outing at Dodger Stadium.
Making his start against Tampa Bay at UNIQLO Field, Ohtani delivered one of his rougher performances of the season by his lofty standards. The two-way sensation surrendered a season-high four earned runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out five. Most of the damage came during a difficult fourth inning, when the Rays broke through and scored all four runs charged to him.
A Painful Ohtani Discovery
As Ohtani finally escaped the inning and headed back toward the dugout, cameras captured the source of some of his struggles. A blister on the middle finger of his pitching hand had burst open, leaving blood visible on the finger and even staining part of his uniform.
For many pitchers, a blister can dramatically affect grip, command, and pitch movement. Ohtani appeared to be dealing with exactly that challenge as he worked through the middle innings. Despite the discomfort and the visible injury, he remained in the game and continued pitching.
Battling Through the Damage
The 31-year-old ultimately completed six innings, throwing 91 pitches before turning the game over to the bullpen. While the outing was not his sharpest, it proved to be enough thanks to timely offensive support from the Dodgers. Los Angeles held on for a narrow 5-4 victory, allowing Ohtani to earn the win.
His ability to remain effective despite the blister helped prevent the game from getting away from Los Angeles. Though Tampa Bay managed to capitalize during the fourth inning, Ohtani settled down afterward and gave the Dodgers valuable innings before exiting the contest.
A Familiar Problem
The blister issue is nothing new for Ohtani. Throughout his major league career, including his years with the Los Angeles Angels, he has periodically dealt with similar problems while pitching. Finger blisters can be particularly frustrating for pitchers because they often linger and can quickly reopen under the stress of repeated pitches.
Even with Wednesday’s setback, Ohtani’s overall season remains remarkable. The reigning National League MVP improved his record to 7-2 and continues to post elite numbers across the board. Through 12 starts, he owns a sparkling 1.47 ERA and a microscopic 0.88 WHIP, further cementing his status as one of baseball’s most dominant players.
Wednesday’s performance may not have been vintage Ohtani, but it served as another reminder of his durability. Pitching with a finger that was visibly bleeding, he managed to navigate six innings, limit the damage after a rocky stretch, and help guide the Dodgers to another victory. The outing added another memorable moment to a season that continues to showcase both his talent and resilience.
