Shohei Ohtani was pulled from Wednesday’s game against the Cincinnati Reds in the middle of an at-bat in the fourth inning after he threw six straight balls — none of them particularly close. The pitcher walked off the mound with a trainer looking frustrated.

After playing 2024 exclusively as a designated hitter, Ohtani made his debut as a Dodgers pitcher in June as a single-inning opener and has gradually increased his workload since then. He didn't throw a second inning until his third start and didn't reach the third inning until his fifth start. This time, he made it into the fourth inning.