Shohei Ohtani Lowers ERA to MLB-Best 0.82 in Win Over Giants LOS ANGELES -- Shohei Ohtani continued his dominance on the mound as a pitcher, helping the Los Angeles Dodgers secure a 4-0 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday night. The two-way star, who has been limited to pitching duties for the fourth time in seven starts this season, struck out eight Giants across seven scoreless innings. Ohtani allowed just four hits and two walks while throwing 105 pitches, further solidifying his position atop the MLB ERA leaderboard with a near-perfect 0.82 mark through seven starts. Ohtani’s performance marked the second-lowest ERA by a Dodgers pitcher through their first seven starts of a season since the earned run became an official statistic in the National League in 1912. Only Fernando Valenzuela, who posted a 0.29 ERA after seven starts in 1981, had a lower mark in that span. Manager Dave Roberts emphasized Ohtani’s focus on pitching excellence, noting that his dedication to the role benefits the team’s long-term goals. The Dodgers entered the game in desperate need of a win, having lost four consecutive games by at least four runs. Ohtani’s presence on the mound provided the stability the team required, though the Dodgers had struggled in his previous six starts, going 2-4. This victory ended their season-high-tying four-game losing streak and marked their first win in an Ohtani start since April 15. Ohtani’s dominance was evident from the start, as he received early run support from back-to-back home runs by Santiago Espinal and Mookie Betts in the third inning. The Dodgers added two more runs in the fourth inning through small-ball tactics, giving Ohtani ample cushion to dominate the Giants’ lineup.#shohei_ohtani #los_angeles_dodgers #san_francisco_giants #santiago_espinal #mookie_betts
Dodgers' Hyeseong Kim: Optioned to Triple-A The Los Angeles Dodgers have assigned Hyeseong Kim to Triple-A Oklahoma City, placing him on the minor-league roster for the 2026 season. Kim, a 30-year-old infielder, was optioned on Sunday after participating in nine Cactus League games, where he posted a .407 batting average with one extra-base hit and five stolen bases. Despite his strong performance in spring training, he will not be part of the major-league team's opening-day roster. Kim's absence from the active roster comes amid competition for a bench role, as he was passed over by Santiago Espinal and Alex Freeland. The Dodgers' decision was influenced by the expected status of Tommy Edman, who is anticipated to begin the season on the injured list due to a shoulder injury. Edman's potential absence created a need for depth at the infield, but Kim's inability to secure a spot on the 25-man roster highlights the challenges of making the team despite his spring success. The move to Triple-A signals a setback for Kim, who had shown promise in previous seasons. His .407 average in the Cactus League demonstrated his offensive capabilities, but the Dodgers' roster decisions suggest they prioritized other players for the 2026 campaign. Kim will now have the opportunity to continue developing in the minors, with the hope of earning a call-up later in the season.#los_angeles_dodgers #hyeseong_kim #triple_a_oklahoma_city #santiago_espinal #alex_freeland
