The question on every baseball fan’s mind this week is — what happened to Shohei Ohtani? The Los Angeles Dodgers’ two-way sensation faced one of his toughest moments yet during the 2025 World Series, where his performance in Game 7 raised questions about fatigue, workload, and the physical toll of his unique role. After a historic regular season and a dominant playoff stretch, Ohtani’s early exit in the deciding game shocked fans who had come to expect near-perfection from one of the sport’s greatest talents.
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Shohei Ohtani’s Game 7 Struggles Shock the Baseball World
In Game 7 of the 2025 World Series against the Toronto Blue Jays, Shohei Ohtani took the mound on just three days’ rest. The Dodgers, desperate to close out the series, trusted their superstar to lead them to a championship. Instead, the night took an unexpected turn.
Ohtani lasted just 2⅓ innings, giving up three earned runs on five hits, including a crucial three-run home run by Bo Bichette in the third inning. The hit silenced the Los Angeles crowd and put the Blue Jays ahead for good.
Despite throwing pitches that touched 100 mph, Ohtani’s control and stamina weren’t the same as they had been earlier in the postseason. His fastball missed its usual sharp edge, and his breaking pitches occasionally drifted out of the zone. Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts made the difficult decision to pull him early, ending what had been a spectacular season with a rare disappointment.
Yet, even in defeat, Ohtani found a way to make history. He became the first Game 7 starting pitcher to record a hit at the plate in over four decades, proving that his offensive abilities remain unmatched even when his pitching falters.
A Season of Greatness and Unprecedented Pressure
To understand what happened to Shohei Ohtani, one must look at the enormous workload he carried throughout the 2025 MLB season. As both an elite pitcher and hitter, Ohtani’s schedule has always been more demanding than that of any other player in the league.
This year, the workload reached new levels. As the Dodgers chased another championship, Ohtani appeared in nearly every series — either as a designated hitter or as part of the rotation. His combined responsibilities meant less rest and recovery time than most athletes receive, especially during a grueling postseason run.
- Batting Stats (2025): .311 average, 54 home runs, 119 RBIs
- Pitching Stats (2025): 2.89 ERA, 16 wins, 214 strikeouts
- Postseason: Named NLCS MVP after two dominant starts and key offensive performances
Such a dual performance is unheard of in modern baseball, but it also comes with risks. The physical strain of pitching at elite velocity while maintaining daily hitting duties places extraordinary pressure on both body and mind.
Short Rest and High Stakes: The Perfect Storm
By the time Game 7 arrived, Shohei Ohtani had already exceeded expectations. However, fatigue was evident. The Dodgers, confident in his endurance, decided to start him on short rest — just three days after his previous outing.
That decision might have tipped the balance. Starting pitchers typically need at least four to five days to fully recover between starts, and for someone like Ohtani, who also hits nearly every day, the margin for error is even slimmer.
From the first inning, fans could sense that something was off. Ohtani’s velocity was there, but his command wasn’t. He labored through long at-bats, and his pitch count climbed quickly. After giving up the home run to Bichette, Roberts made the call to remove him, prioritizing his long-term health over short-term glory.
It was a sobering moment — a reminder that even the most gifted athlete has limits.
Dodgers’ Response and Support for Their Superstar
Following the game, the Dodgers’ clubhouse stood united in their support for Ohtani. Teammates and coaches emphasized that one game doesn’t define him — his season, leadership, and contributions far outweigh any single outing.
Manager Dave Roberts told reporters, “Shohei gave us everything he had all season long. He carried this team. Nobody should hang their heads about what happened tonight.”
Veteran outfielder Mookie Betts echoed those sentiments, saying, “Without Ohtani, we don’t even get to Game 7. He’s the heartbeat of this team.”
Fans at Dodger Stadium gave Ohtani a standing ovation as he walked off the field — a rare gesture for a player leaving after a tough outing. It was a testament to the respect and admiration he commands throughout baseball.
What This Means for Ohtani’s Future as a Two-Way Player
The 2025 World Series might go down as a learning experience for both Ohtani and the Dodgers. The question now is how the team will manage his workload moving forward.
While Ohtani’s ability to dominate as both a pitcher and a hitter is what makes him historic, it also presents challenges. Balancing recovery, training, and performance across two demanding roles requires near-perfect precision.
Key Questions Going Forward:
- Will the Dodgers reduce his pitching appearances to preserve his health?
- Could Ohtani eventually transition to a full-time hitting role later in his career?
- How will the team schedule rest periods to avoid fatigue in future postseason runs?
For now, team officials have confirmed that Ohtani is healthy and expected to participate fully in spring training next season. However, the organization has made clear that managing his workload will be a top priority.
A Superstar Under Scrutiny — and Still on Top
Despite the Game 7 loss, Ohtani’s season remains one of the most remarkable in baseball history. He shattered multiple records, drew sellout crowds in every city he visited, and revitalized the Dodgers lineup with his all-around dominance.
In fact, even with the early exit in Game 7, his postseason numbers as both a hitter and pitcher were among the best of the playoffs. His resilience and humility in handling defeat only added to his legend.
Sports analysts have been quick to remind fans that even the greatest athletes — from Babe Ruth to LeBron James — have had moments of struggle under immense pressure. What separates them is how they respond. Given Ohtani’s track record, there’s little doubt he’ll come back stronger than ever.
Fans Rally Around Ohtani After Game 7 Loss
Following the loss, fans across the United States and Japan took to social media to express their support for Ohtani. Hashtags like #WeBelieveInShohei and #OhtaniStrong trended on X (formerly Twitter) for nearly 24 hours.
Many fans pointed out that Ohtani’s willingness to take the mound on short rest exemplified his competitive spirit and team-first mentality. “He’s the kind of player you build a franchise around,” one fan wrote. “He gave everything he had for the Dodgers.”
In Los Angeles, murals and fan art dedicated to Ohtani have already appeared near Dodger Stadium — a visual reminder that he remains one of the most beloved figures in the game, regardless of the outcome of one night.
What Happened to Shohei Ohtani: A Reminder of Humanity Behind Greatness
At the core of this story, what happened to Shohei Ohtani isn’t a downfall — it’s a reflection of the human side of greatness. Even the most extraordinary talents face adversity, and in Ohtani’s case, it came at the end of an otherwise spectacular season.
He remains a once-in-a-generation athlete whose ability to excel at both pitching and hitting continues to redefine baseball. If anything, his Game 7 outing underscores how high expectations for him have become — expectations that few in history could ever meet.
As Ohtani himself said in his post-game interview, “Baseball gives us moments to learn. I’ll take this one and grow from it.”
Shohei Ohtani’s journey isn’t defined by one game — it’s defined by his relentless pursuit of excellence. Fans can expect to see him back on the mound and at the plate in 2026, chasing history once again.
What did you think about Shohei Ohtani’s World Series performance? Share your thoughts below and join the conversation with fellow baseball fans.