Shohei Ohtani pinch hits for Dodgers after starting as pitcher
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 18, 2026, 2:17 PM
Last updated Jun 18, 2026
Shohei Ohtani played as a pitcher and later as a pinch hitter in the Dodgers' game against the Tampa Bay Rays on June 18, 2026, at Dodger Stadium. Ohtani collected a season-high four earned runs but still secured the victory as the Dodgers triumphed 5-4. His sixth-inning at-bat resulted in a ground out. Under MLB Rule 5.11(a), the Dodgers forfeited their designated hitter position when Ohtani entered the game to hit, a decision that has sparked debate among fans and experts alike.
- •Ohtani pitched for the Dodgers, yielding four earned runs.
- •He later batted in the sixth inning and grounded out.
- •The Dodgers lost their DH privilege with his pinch hitting.
- •Los Angeles won the game 5-4 over Tampa Bay.
- •Ohtani's performance maintains his status as a top two-way player.
- 2:17 PMYahoo Sports — How Shohei Ohtani 'pinch hit' during game Dodgers' two-way star started as pitcher
"MLB Rule 5.11(a) allows MLB managers to remove the DH and allow pitchers to hit.
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