Shohei Ohtani injury update: Dodgers coach voices concern over two-way star’s status

Shohei Ohtani leaves game early as Dodgers coach flags injury worry

Shohei Ohtani exited a Dodgers game early on July 16 after a first-inning fastball left him in visible discomfort. Mark Prior, the club’s pitching coach, told reporters the team is monitoring the two-way star’s status closely.

What happened to Shohei Ohtani?

Ohtani threw just 12 pitches in the July 16 contest against the Giants before leaving with a left-elbow issue. The Dodgers did not specify the injury’s severity, but Prior said the team is treating it with caution. The two-way star had already missed time earlier in the season with oblique and back tightness, adding to the club’s health concerns.

Why it matters for Shohei Ohtani

The Dodgers sit 4.5 games behind the NL West lead with Ohtani sidelined. His bat and arm anchor both sides of the lineup and rotation, so any extended absence could tilt the race. Prior’s comments mark the first public admission of concern from the coaching staff, signaling the issue may linger beyond a quick turnaround.

What comes next for Ohtani and the Dodgers

The team has scheduled Ohtani for imaging and a battery of tests to rule out structural damage. If the elbow checks out clean, he could return within days. If not, the Dodgers face a tough call: push for October with a diminished lineup or shut him down early to preserve his long-term value. The club’s next series starts Friday in San Diego, where every pitch and swing will be scrutinized.

Prior said the team will update fans after the tests, but for now the focus is on getting Ohtani right before the stretch run.