Ohtani Makes Unique MLB History With Pitch Clock Violations

Angels superstar Shohei Ohtani set a bit of unwanted MLB history on Wednesday during L.A.’s clash against the Mariners. Ohtani, who was featuring as both a hitter and pitcher as he so often does, was called for a pitch clock violation in both roles during the same game.

Early on during Wednesday’s clash against Seattle, home plate umpire Pat Hoberg issued a pitch clock violation against Ohtani, giving a free ball to Cal Raleigh. 

Later on, the two-way star was up at the plate against Mariners’ Matt Brash. After Ohtani took more than eight seconds to step into the batters box, Hoberg hit him with another pitch clock violation, this time an automatic strike. 

Shohei Ohtani: 1st Player ever to have a Pitch Clock Violation as a Pitcher AND Hitter. 🍾

🦄 pic.twitter.com/dLlkz9Ff9u

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 5, 2023

Considering how new the pitch clock rule is, and the rarity of two-way players, Ohtani’s gaffe both on the mound and in the batters box made him the first player in league history to commit the violation as both a pitcher and a hitter.

In both cases, Ohtani was able to overcome the violation, rallying to strikeout Raleigh after being given an automatic ball in the first inning, and drawing a walk against Brash after starting the count down 0–1 in the sixth inning. 

There’s truly nothing this guy can’t do.

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Even after being put at a disadvantage during his own appearance on the mound, Ohtani later provided an assist for Seattle’s starter Chris Flexen. While getting an explanation for his own violation, Ohtani could be seen quickly swiping a baseball out of Hoberg’s pocket and tossing it to Flexen, who didn’t have a ball to warmup with on the mound. 

Shohei looks out for opposing pitchers 🤝@Angels | #GoHalos pic.twitter.com/cD338e8M1X

— Bally Sports West (@BallySportWest) April 5, 2023

Ohtani pitched six innings on Wednesday, surrendering one earned run, three hits, and four walks, while striking out eight. It was his second pitching appearance of the season.