The Dodgers’ trip to Pittsburgh turned into a bad dream Thursday night, as Shohei Ohtani and rookie left-hander Justin Wrobleski both exited early with injuries in a chaotic 9-8 loss at PNC Park. Ohtani was pulled with inflammation in his left knee after reaching base four times and belting a solo homer, while Wrobleski departed with a right hamstring contusion after a scorching comebacker drilled his leg.
Dodgers Say Ohtani Left With Knee Inflammation
The team said Ohtani’s night ended because of inflammation in his left knee and did not immediately offer further details, according to the Los Angeles Times. Before exiting in the seventh inning, he had been carrying the offense, reaching base four times with two walks, a single, and a solo shot. It was another strong showing in a week where he had been a rare bright spot both at the plate and on the mound.
Wrobleski Exits After Comebacker Struck His Leg
Wrobleski’s night ended in the fifth inning after a line-drive comebacker off the bat of Bryan Reynolds caught him in the leg. MLB’s game highlight lists the injury as a right hamstring contusion. In the clip, Wrobleski stumbles as he tries to cover first, misses the bag, and limps off the field while athletic trainers check him out and manager Dave Roberts signals for a pitching change, per MLB.com.
Collapse Costs Dodgers In Pittsburgh
The injuries played out against the backdrop of a full-on meltdown. Los Angeles coughed up a five-run lead as the Pirates stormed back for a 9-8 win, a collapse that left Roberts noticeably exasperated. Ohtani’s solo homer marked his second straight game going deep, but even his two-way impact could not stop the bullpen from unraveling late, according to the Los Angeles Times.
What’s Next For L.A.
The timing could hardly be worse for a team already juggling its roster. The Dodgers had just placed catcher Will Smith on the 10-day injured list earlier in the week, and Ohtani’s knee concern adds another wrinkle to how the club manages its two-way star’s workload, per Yahoo Sports. The Dodgers said both Ohtani and Wrobleski will undergo further exams and imaging before the team announces any kind of timeline.
Roberts said updates will come after testing is complete and that a clearer picture should emerge in the coming days, leaving fans and the front office to wait and worry as the Dodgers head into a busy stretch of the schedule.
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