"That means he’s done for the year" - Dodgers fans not buying Dave Roberts' update on Shohei Ohtani after being hit by pitch
The Los Angeles Dodgers were dealt a huge scare during Sunday's series finale against the Tampa Bay Rays after a pitch hit Shohei Ohtani. The Japanese superstar was struck on his wrist in the eighth inning of a 3-1 win.
Ohtani, who became the first Dodgers player to join the 40-40 club after a walk-off grand slam in the previous game, was struck by Rays reliever Richard Lovelady's pitch on a 2-1 count.
Although Ohtani had a grimace on his face, holding his left wrist while trodding to first base, the Japanese phenom waved off the training staff, indicating that the injury wasn't serious.
Following the game, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts addressed Ohtani's hit-by-pitch incident, revealing that X-rays were negative on his left forearm.
However, Dodgers fans are still doubting Ohtani's health status, given the team's injury setbacks of late.
"If Roberts speaks, that means he’s done for the year."
"Better be...I've learned to take anything that comes out of their mouths with a grain of salt," wrote another fan.
"Roberts worse thn hogan on telling the truth," alleged another fan.
But some fans saw the positive signs after the update dismissed major injury concerns for the Dodgers superstar.
"Thank the lord above," wrote a fan.
"Collective sigh!!!" wrote another relieved fan.
"My fantasy team was in jeopardy like shit. Im glad he cool," another fan wrote.
Dave Roberts reflects on Shohei Ohtani's injury scare
An injury to Shohei Ohtani could spell doom for a Dodgers offense that has heavily relied on the $700 million offseason acquisition. Dave Roberts was candid in his post-game interview, addressing the "scary" situation for the clubhouse after Ohtani's potential injury.
“It's really scary,” manager Dave Roberts said. “You always hold your breath. We experienced that with Mookie [Betts] a few months ago. And then obviously with Shohei, the ball coming in, fortunately, it hit him on the forearm."
Ohtani has been restricted to the DH role after Tommy John Surgery to repair his elbow last September. However, the two-time MVP created a buzz after his first bullpen session since the surgery on Saturday.
Although Ohtani is unlikely to pitch this season, he is expected to be on the mound in another session in the coming weeks before facing live hitters, per Roberts.