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In case you’ve forgotten, there never was anyone like Shohei Ohtani.
The Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar has an .896 OPS and a 0.00 ERA early this season and has won multiple Silver Sluggers while in the Cy Young Award conversation. Last year he hit 55 homers and posted a 2.87 ERA.
However, pitching and hitting in the same game has created a bit of a controversy.
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Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani pitches during the third inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at the Rogers Center in Toronto on April 8, 2026. (John E. Sokolowski/Imagn Images)
It’s been a thing since Ohtani came to the majors from Japan in 2018, but it started making the rounds during last year’s World Series that when Ohtani takes the mound after being on the bases, he’s given a bit of an extra grace period as he warms up.
Normally, inning breaks are two minutes and 15 seconds for local games, with an additional 30 seconds added for nationally televised games. However, Ohtani has inadvertently been an exception. Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider had some words with an umpire during Game 7 of the World Series last year about the ordeal.
Well, Ohtani was back on the Toronto mound for a Fall Classic rematch on Wednesday, and sure enough, he got a little extra time to warm up. Outfielder George Springer even had a conversation with the home plate umpire while Ohtani was pitching, but Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal reported it was just to ask how much time Ohtani had.
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Shohei Ohtani (17) delivers against the Toronto Blue Jays during the first inning of Game 7 of baseball’s World Series in Toronto, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press)
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However, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts seemed annoyed by Springer’s apparent questioning.
“Just talking about the World Series, I think they were a little frustrated with how long Shohei takes between innings. But if he’s on the bases, there’s got to be some mercy that the umpires try to give him,” Roberts said after the game, via The Athletic. “Yeah, if you’re on the other side, you try to rush him as much as possible and treat him like any other pitcher.
“But the truth is, he’s different. But I understand their complaint.”
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Shohei Ohtani greets manager Dave Roberts during player introductions before Game 1 of the 2025 World Series against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Center in Toronto, Ontario on October 24, 2025. (Dan Hamilton/Imagn Images)
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Because of his prowess both on the mound and in the batter’s box, Ohtani is the overwhelming favorite to win his fifth MVP Award in the last six seasons.
