Shohei Ohtani exited Tuesday night's game against the Colorado Rockies after taking a pitch from Kyle Freeland to his right hand in the fourth inning. The two-way star grounded out in the fifth before leaving, finishing 0-for-2 with a run scored as the Dodgers rolled to a 15-6 victory. Manager Dave Roberts confirmed the ball struck Ohtani's hand pad before clipping his pinkie finger.

Roberts said Ohtani remains on track to start on the mound for Wednesday's series finale despite the hand issue. The decision came with the Dodgers holding a comfortable lead, allowing the team to prioritize Ohtani's pitching preparation over his at-bats. Roberts hasn't committed to whether Ohtani will hit in the upcoming game.

The injury occurred during a critical stretch for Los Angeles, who are counting on their prized acquisition to contribute both on the hill and at the plate. Ohtani's availability for hitting duties could impact the lineup's potency against Rockies pitching. Roberts emphasized he'll evaluate Ohtani's physical readiness before making final decisions on his two-way role.

Ohtani's scheduled Wednesday start represents the more pressing concern for the Dodgers, as his pitching performance carries greater weight for the team's postseason aspirations than any single at-bat.