Shohei Ohtani pitches through knee inflammation and hand blister as Dodgers clinch 5-4 win

Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers continued to dominate despite a left‑knee inflammation and a recurring blister on his pitching hand. After missing a start on June 12 because of the knee issue, he returned to the mound on June 17 against the Tampa Bay Rays. Ohtani allowed four runs in the fifth inning – the most he has given up in back‑to‑back starts this season – but recovered to finish six strong innings, finishing with a 1.47 ERA and a 7‑2 record. The Dodgers rallied with a two‑run homer by Freddie Freeman to win 5‑4.

Manager Dave Roberts downplayed the blister, noting it would not affect Ohtani’s performance, while the knee inflammation will continue to be monitored. Ohtani’s offensive production remains elite, hitting .296 with 15 home runs and 42 RBIs, and he remains the favorite for the National League MVP, with prediction markets pricing his odds at 85%.

The performance underscores Ohtani’s two‑way value to the Dodgers and his continued candidacy for league honors despite minor injury concerns.