Shohei Ohtani gave Dodgers fans a scare when he exited Wednesdays start in the fourth inning after throwing wildly for six pitches. The Dodgers superstar did remain in the game as a designated hitter, taking his at-bat in the sixth inning, where he struck out looking. The team later announced that he exited his start because of cramps. In the moment, very concerning, because I didnt know what it was, manager Dave Roberts told reporters after Los Angeles lost 5-2. Even when he went out, he said it was his hip. But when you hear cramping, then I feel much better. And talked to him, and he said it was the humidity. So I feel better knowing that. Shohei Ohtani has left his start in the middle of an at-bat after throwing six consecutive balls, two of which were yanked fastballs that were wild pitches. Jeff Pa san (@JeffPa san) Dodgers starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani (17) stands on the mound during the second inning against the Cincinnati Reds IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect Explore More Ohtani was in the midst of his seventh appearance on the mound since he returned from elbow surgery that prevented him from pitching all of last season. The early J.A. Happ Jersey departure came in the middle of an at-bat after he had thrown six consecutive balls, which included two wild pitches and the last five pitches he threw had been clocked at 96 mph or faster. Statcast reported Ohtanis fastball velocity had averaged 98.7 mph. Ohtani had entered the game with six appearances on the mound this season in which he registered a 1.50 ERA in 12 innings of work. hohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers is removed as a pitcher in the fourth inning against the Cincinnati Reds. Getty Images The Dodgers have been slow to ramp up Ohtani since he returned to the mound, keeping him to just an inning per appearance before moving to two innings and then recently increasing it to three innings. Ohtani had allowed a leadoff double to Gavin Lux in the first inning and Elly De La Cruz hit an RBI single to later score Lux. The two-way player allowed two earned runs on five hits in three innings while striking out four batters. Despite the cautiousne s with his pitching, Ohtani has continued to be a threat at the plate. He has 38 home runs and 73 RBIs while hitting .272/.377/.612. Ohtani is in the second year of a ma sive 10-year, $700 million deal he signed with Los Angeles in December of 2023. Matt Shoemaker Jersey