Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Shohei Ohtani achieved a Major League Baseball (MLB) leading 0.60 ERA despite receiving his first loss of the season on April 28, 2026. The pitcher, who underwent a medical procedure in the recent past, delivered a strong performance, pitching six innings with five hits and two earned runs, while also recording nine strikeouts.
Ohtani reached the required number of innings to qualify for the league lead in ERA with this outing. Despite the strong pitching performance, the Dodgers were defeated by the Miami Marlins 2-1.
“The most important thing is to finish healthy,” Ohtani stated, reflecting on his performance and season goals. He added, “There are criteria for how many rotations a starting pitcher should complete over a 162-game season, and reaching that benchmark is a standard. If I can pitch for a long period, it will aid retain everyone healthy, including the bullpen.”
This season, Ohtani began as a pitcher on April 16, 2026, in a game against the New York Mets, marking his return to pitching after a period of recovery. He also participated as a two-way player on April 23, 2026, against the San Francisco Giants, but has primarily focused on pitching in recent games.
While acknowledging the team’s struggle to score, Ohtani attributed the loss to his own performance, stating, “It wasn’t a good game for me, and I couldn’t create a flow that allowed the offense to concentrate.”
The performance highlights Ohtani’s continued recovery and adaptation following his medical treatment, and his commitment to contributing to the Dodgers’ success as a key member of the pitching rotation. This level of performance from a player returning to peak form is significant for both the team and the sport, offering insights into recovery protocols and athletic resilience.
