Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani will serve as both starting pitcher and leadoff designated hitter in Wednesday's series finale against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium.
The decision comes after Ohtani was hit on his right hand by an 85.2 mph change-up from Rockies left-hander Kyle Freeland during Tuesday's 15-6 win.
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Team trainer Thomas Albert and manager Dave Roberts checked on him, and Ohtani was later removed from the blowout.
Medical exams showed the pitch only grazed his pinky finger, and no MRI was needed. Roberts finalized the lineup one hour before the 7:10 p.
m. PT game time.
“I just want to make sure how he comes in and, physically, how he feels,” Roberts said.
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The manager emphasized ensuring Ohtani felt completely healthy before putting him on the mound.
Ohtani enters with a 0.73 ERA over 49 innings this season, the best mark among MLB pitchers with at least 30 innings.
Wednesday's game marks the 21st matchup between Japanese-born starting pitchers in MLB history.
The Rockies will start right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano, who has a 3.86 ERA in 53.2 innings.
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The division-leading Dodgers hold a 35-20 record in the NL West and seek a series sweep. The Rockies, at 20-36, are last in the division.
