Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani has been having another incredible season at the plate and on the mound in 2026. He added to his ever-growing list of clutch performances on Tuesday when the Dodgers took on the Tampa Bay Rays at home.
With a pitchers' duel going through the first five innings, Ohtani stepped up to the plate in the bottom of the sixth in a scoreless tie. He changed that on the first pitch he saw, as Ohtani launched a 427-foot homer to center field to give the Dodgers a one-run lead, which was all they needed to secure a 1-0 victory.
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While Ohtani continued his impressive year with his game-winning homer on Tuesday, he continued to be checked out by the Dodgers' coaching staff throughout the day as he recovers from knee inflammation, which he suffered last week.
Ohtani avoided any major damage after he was taken out of Thursday's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates due to this knee injury. As he was scheduled to start on the mound on Wednesday, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts made an announcement about whether that was still the plan.
"Shohei Ohtani will indeed make his pitching start tomorrow," said California Post reporter Jack Harris. "He will not DH."
This is a good sign for Dodgers fans, as they will get to see their Cy Young Award contender on the mound once again. To add to this, it seems like the reason for his not hitting as well seems like a precautionary move from Roberts, as he doesn't want Ohtani to have any added pressure on his recovering knee.
Through 11 starts on the mound this year, Ohtani has pitched to a phenomenal 1.06 ERA, totaling 73 strikeouts and 21 walks in 67 2/3 innings.
He'll look to add to this remarkable campaign in the series finale against the Rays on Wednesday at Dodger Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 3:10 p.m. ET.
