Shohei Ohtani has taken things to another level this postseason — which says a lot for MLB’s most unique player.
After what will likely be his fourth career MVP campaign in the regular season, Ohtani has swatted eight home runs in October already, including three in one NLCS game. Additionally, he’s made his postseason pitching debut with some fantastic starts, going six strong innings against the Philadelphia Phillies in the NLDS and the Milwaukee Brewers in the NLCS.
Ohtani has been penciled in as Dave Roberts’ Game 4 starter against the Toronto Blue Jays. But in Game 3, which lasted 18 innings, he also dealt with some injury concerns.
Will Ohtani still make his World Series pitching debut in Game 4 on Tuesday night? Here’s the latest on his status on the mound.
MORE WORLD SERIES GAME 3:
What happened to Shohei Ohtani?
Multiple times in Game 3, even with his four-hit, two-homer, five-walk performance, Ohtani came up limping a bit in the later innings. In the 11th inning, he grimaced a bit after running to second base, and he was checked on by Roberts and trainers.
Ohtani was stretching out his leg as he was checked on.
trainers come out to check on ohtani pic.twitter.com/ZShT3Df85G
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) October 28, 2025
The Dodgers star continued to run gingerly throughout extra innings, but appeared to be moving fine once the game finally ended in the 18th inning, celebrating Freddie Freeman’s home run.
The Dodgers walk it off and Shohei Ohtani sprints down the line to celebrate with Yoshinobu Yamamoto who was warming in the bullpen. pic.twitter.com/6TGBUCnobq
— Ben Verlander (@BenVerlander) October 28, 2025
On Fox’s broadcast, Tom Verducci reported that Ohtani was dealing with cramping. Roberts then confirmed that diagnosis postgame.
Will Shohei Ohtani pitch in World Series Game 4?
Ohtani is still slated to pitch in Game 4 despite the cramping concerns in Game 3. Roberts said on the postgame broadcast after the Dodgers’ win that Ohtani is “good to go.”
“Cramps and all, he’s pitching,” Roberts said.
Dave Roberts says Shohei Ohtani is good to pitch for Game 4 later today. pic.twitter.com/wMQDzDzydf
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 28, 2025
The Dodgers could certainly use Ohtani’s arm for Game 4 after 10 different pitchers were used in the long Game 3. Typically, Ohtani hasn’t pitched more than five or six innings, but Roberts is going to need as many fresh arms as possible after Monday night’s stalemate.
Despite the injury concerns, Ohtani is still set to make his third postseason start on Tuesday night against Toronto.
MORE WORLD SERIES NEWS:
Shohei Ohtani postseason pitching stats
Here’s a look at Ohtani’s numbers on the mound through two postseason starts:
| Record | Innings | ERA | ER | Hits | Walks | Strikeouts |
| 2-0 | 12.0 | 2.25 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 19 |
