Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani will sit out Saturday’s game against the San Diego Padres after exiting Friday’s 4-3 home victory with right biceps tightness.
The two-way standout experienced the discomfort while swinging the bat during the sixth inning of the divisional clash.
He had already thrown a season-high 110 pitches on the mound, recording nine strikeouts and allowing three runs over six innings.
Teoscar Hernandez later secured the comeback win for Los Angeles with a decisive seventh-inning grand slam, handing San Diego their seventh consecutive defeat.
Precautionary measure for dual-threat athlete
Manager Dave Roberts opted to use Miguel Rojas as a pinch-hitter for the Japanese international in the seventh inning to prevent further aggravation.
Speaking through an interpreter, the former MVP revealed he had successfully managed a similar biceps issue earlier in the campaign.
“It went away relatively quickly, so I expect that to happen again.”
Shohei Ohtani
Roberts echoed this optimism, noting the player’s history of quick recoveries while emphasising the immense physical demands placed upon a two-way player.
All-Star break schedule under review
Los Angeles had previously adjusted their starting rotation to align the phenom against divisional rivals before the mid-season All-Star break.
This adjustment already made it highly unlikely that Ohtani would pitch in the upcoming exhibition showcase due to the resulting short rest period.
Following Friday’s flare-up, the Dodgers hierarchy is now actively considering skipping his next scheduled start altogether to provide extra recovery time.
“Obviously we’re not going to make that decision right now, but anything should be on the table, certainly.”
Dave Roberts
The superstar was also seen applying an ice pack to his left knee following the game, though management confirmed this was merely routine maintenance.
Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Junior Caminero has become the youngest player since at least 1900 to hit a home run in six consecutive games after going deep against the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday.
The 22-year-old launched a 425-foot drive off right-hander Seth Lugo in the first inning to record his 24th blast of the season.
He surpasses Seattle Mariners legend Ken Griffey Jr, who previously held the age milestone when he achieved the feat as a 23-year-old in 1993.
The infielder will celebrate his 23rd birthday this Sunday.
Historic streak for rising star
Only three other players in the modern era have managed a five-game streak before turning 23.
San Francisco’s Jack Clark, along with Atlanta duo Brian McCann and Ronald Acuña Jr, previously reached the five-game mark at such a young age.
The standout prospect is the first Major League Baseball player of any age to achieve a six-game run since Rafael Devers managed it for the Boston Red Sox in May 2024.
Power surge continues against Royals
The dynamic hitter now has eight home runs over his past six appearances.
This blistering stretch began with a spectacular three-homer performance during a commanding 13-2 victory over Kansas City last Thursday.
He joins Carlos Pena as the only player in franchise history to homer in six successive outings, matching a club record set back in June 2010.
The New York Mets sacked manager Carlos Mendoza on Friday after a disastrous 34-47 start to the season left the heavily-funded franchise reeling.
Former San Diego Padres boss Andy Green will immediately step in as interim manager for the remainder of the current campaign.
The decisive move follows a devastating run of six consecutive defeats that pushed the club further to the bottom of the standings.
‘Change is necessary’
Mendoza was in his third season at the helm, but a club option to extend his stay into 2027 was ultimately ignored.
“Carlos has led the organization with passion and grace and is beloved by everyone who works with him on a daily basis,” said president of baseball operations David Stearns.
“Unfortunately, we know we are falling short and change is necessary to move forward.”
A costly collapse in form
The 46-year-old tactician originally enjoyed huge success in 2024, miraculously guiding the team to the National League Championship Series during his debut year.
However, his sophomore campaign proved disastrous as the Queens-based outfit collapsed over the final three months to miss the play-offs entirely.
That nightmare form has carried into the current season, with the struggling squad fielding one of the most unproductive offenses in the sport.
This prolonged slump is especially glaring given their colossal wage bill, which currently stands as the second-most expensive in Major League Baseball behind only the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Tampa Bay Rays lost a combined no-hitter in the ninth inning against the Kansas City Royals when Carter Jensen struck a two-run home run off Craig Kimbrel on Thursday.
Opener Casey Legumina pitched a flawless start to the game before Ian Seymour delivered a dominant strikeout performance.
The left-handed reliever struck out seven batters to carry the history-chasing effort deep into the contest.
The Florida-based outfit had built a commanding 13-0 advantage heading into the final frame, powered by a remarkable three-homer display from Junior Caminero.
Defensive brilliance falls just short
The pitching staff retired the first 16 batters they faced before Starling Marte drew a full-count walk in the sixth inning to end the perfect game bid.
Left fielder Chandler Simpson preserved the initial unblemished run with a spectacular running catch near the foul pole to deny Salvador Perez in the fifth.
The athletic outfielder also produced a crucial grab on a hard-hit line drive by Ian Collins to successfully navigate the eighth inning.
However, veteran closer Kimbrel walked Marte to open the ninth before Jensen launched a devastating drive over the outfield wall to ruin the milestone.
Historical context of the missed milestone
Matt Garza remains the only pitcher to throw a no-hitter for the American League East club, achieving the feat against the Detroit Tigers in July 2010.
The franchise has never recorded a perfect game throughout its entire existence.
A successful completion would have marked only the second no-hitter of the current major league season, following a combined effort by the Houston Astros in May.
Ironically, Kimbrel previously completed a combined no-hitter for the Chicago Cubs against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the 2021 campaign.
Shohei Ohtani overcame a miscommunication with rookie catcher Dalton Rushing to pitch the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 4-3 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday.
The two-way superstar struck out eight batters across six innings before handing over to the bullpen in Minneapolis.
He also delivered at the plate, hitting an RBI single to ignite a decisive three-run third inning that put the visitors in front for good.
Crossed wires lead to rough second inning
The bottom of the second inning at a sold-out Target Field proved uncharacteristically ugly for the Japanese phenomenon.
Three hits loaded the bases before the Dodgers ace threw a 101mph fastball while his catcher was anticipating an off-speed delivery.
The ball escaped the catcher’s glove, allowing an unearned run to score on the passed ball before Ryan Kreidler’s single gave Minnesota a 3-1 lead.
Rushing has temporarily taken over primary catching duties while three-time All-Star Will Smith recovers from neck inflammation.
“They were just out of sync early, and you could tell,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.
“I think both guys were frustrated and trying to get on the same page.”
Taking control amid injury struggles
Speaking through an interpreter, the four-time MVP acknowledged the need for better communication with his young teammate.
“The in-game flexibility, reading the swings, reading how the hitters are really taking their approach during the game — that’s how I see what adjustment needs to happen,” Ohtani said.
Rushing was visibly upset with his own performance, noting it was embarrassing that the veteran pitcher had to take over pitch-calling duties to navigate the remainder of the game.
“Good thing he’s as good as he is and he can take control of the game, but it’s pretty embarrassing,” said Rushing.
The former Los Angeles Angels star has been pitching through lingering left knee soreness and a blister on his right hand throughout the month.
Despite these physical setbacks, he has still managed to log quality starts of six or more innings while allowing three or fewer earned runs in 11 of his 13 appearances.
The 30-year-old had an outstanding 0.74 ERA over his first 10 starts with Smith behind the plate, highlighting the significant adjustment required with a new battery mate.
Oklahoma have claimed their first Men’s College World Series national championship since 1994 with a decisive 13-2 victory over North Carolina in Game 3 on Monday night.
The Sooners secured the Southeastern Conference’s seventh consecutive title, capping off a remarkable turnaround after finishing 11th in the regular season.
Entering the NCAA tournament following losses in seven of their previous nine games, the Midwestern outfit produced an improbable postseason run.
Branch and Mercurius star in Omaha
Following a disappointing offensive display in Game 2, the newly crowned champions rebounded to hand the Tar Heels their most lopsided defeat of the year.
Number nine batter Kyle Branch delivered a stunning breakout performance, driving in six runs with a pair of singles and a home run.
He was brilliantly supported by Jaxon Willits, who reached base five times and concluded his tournament with an outstanding .520 batting average.
On the mound, relief pitcher LJ Mercurius produced a crucial shift to stifle a third-inning threat and restrict the opposition to a single run over five and two-thirds innings.
Tar Heels pitching falters under pressure
The decisive clash initially featured a historic freshman pitching matchup between Carolina’s Jackson Rose and Oklahoma’s Nick Wesloski, though neither survived the third inning.
North Carolina boasted the best earned run average in the Atlantic Coast Conference but struggled immensely under the intense championship spotlight.
Eight different pitchers combined to surrender 14 hits and issue eight walks during a torrid defensive display from the tournament runners-up.
Star freshman Caden Glauber was introduced just one day after throwing 65 pitches, resulting in a disastrous bases-loaded walk before being quickly withdrawn.
The heartbreak leaves the North Carolina programme with 13 Omaha appearances without lifting the trophy, an unwanted record trailing only Florida State.
Kyle Schwarber hit three home runs and Bryce Harper completed a historic cycle as the Philadelphia Phillies comprehensively defeated the New York Mets 15-3 on Saturday night.
The remarkable victory saw the National League East franchise become only the second team in Major League Baseball history to feature both a cycle and a three-homer individual performance in the exact same game.
This rare dual milestone was previously achieved by the New York Yankees in 1932, when Tony Lazzeri hit for the cycle alongside a four-homer masterclass from Lou Gehrig.
Schwarber dominates with powerful displays
The veteran designated hitter ignited an eight-run explosion in the third inning by launching a massive solo shot 456 feet into the right-field upper deck off visiting starter Freddy Peralta.
Later in that exact same frame, the powerful left-handed batter returned to the plate to crush a three-run blast off relief pitcher Cionel Perez that landed 457 feet away in almost the identical spot.
He is just the 67th player in major league history to record two home runs in a single inning, joining Houston Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez who managed the rare accomplishment earlier this season.
The 31-year-old later added a two-run homer in the seventh inning off Tobias Myers, taking his major league-leading total to 28 for the campaign.
Harper completes rapid cycle
While his teammate was continually clearing the fences, Harper was busy securing his own piece of franchise history by hitting for the cycle before the end of the fifth inning.
The two-time National League Most Valuable Player began his historic night with a solo home run in the first inning to mark his 16th long ball of the current season.
After doubling and scoring on an error in the third, the former Washington Nationals standout added a sharp single immediately following his teammate’s second home run of the frame.
He completed the famous milestone in the fifth inning by driving a ball into the left-center gap and speeding around the bases for a two-run triple.
The dynamic first baseman is the 11th player in Phillies history to hit for the cycle, and the first to do so since Weston Wilson achieved the feat in August 2024.
Oklahoma secured a commanding 9-3 victory over North Carolina in the opening game of the best-of-three Men’s College World Series finals in Omaha.
Deiten Lachance led the offensive charge with two home runs to give his side an early advantage.
Freshman pitcher Cord Rager overcame a turbulent opening inning to earn the crucial win on college baseball’s biggest stage.
The Tar Heels initially responded with a three-run rally in the bottom of the first inning, but their momentum quickly unravelled.
Defensive struggles plague Tar Heels
North Carolina suffered several costly defensive lapses as the game slipped completely beyond their control.
Gavin Gallaher, recently named the nation’s best defensive second baseman, visibly showed his frustration after narrowly missing a diving catch in the eighth inning.
The misstep followed a dramatic three-way collision in the outfield that left the infielder on his back while the ball dropped safely onto the turf.
Meanwhile, the Sooners revelled in their dominance in front of 24,707 fans at Charles Schwab Field, dancing in the dugout and forming a conga line in the bullpen.
Coaches look ahead to crucial Game Two
Oklahoma head coach Skip Johnson praised his squad’s emotional intensity following the comfortable triumph.
“It’s been really fun to watch. They play with so much passion,” said Johnson.
“You can feel it when they’re getting accurate. That’s a beautiful thing.”
For North Carolina, the immediate focus shifts to mental recovery ahead of Sunday’s must-win encounter.
Head coach Scott Forbes addressed his roster immediately after the final pitch to prevent the heavy defeat from lingering.
“It’s a weekend series. I just talked to them, I said that you’ve got to forget this one,” Forbes explained.
The Tar Heels now face a high-stakes battle to keep their national championship hopes alive in the second fixture.