Overview

• Ohtani allowed five earned runs on nine hits over four innings in his first career pitching start at Coors Field, and the Dodgers lost 8-3 to Colorado.
• Trainers evaluated Ohtani after a 93 mph comebacker from Orlando Arcia struck his right thigh; he finished the fourth, later left the game, and was diagnosed with a thigh contusion.
• Manager Dave Roberts said he was relieved the ball missed Ohtani’s knee and expressed confidence the star will be in the lineup for the Padres series opener on Friday.
• Ohtani’s ERA rose to 4.61, with nine runs and 14 hits allowed over his last two starts, and he has yet to exceed 4⅓ innings or 80 pitches in any start this season.
• Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior said using Ohtani as a reliever is “absolutely” possible, though MLB rules complicate retaining his bat if he enters in relief, and Los Angeles now leads the NL West by one game.