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Shohei Ohtani prompted frustration from the Blue Jays’ George Springer after the Dodgers star appeared to violate the two-minute rule. Cole Burston \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n
April 9, 2026 10:34 am EDT<\/p>\n
TORONTO \u2014 The Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday raised an objection with the umpiring crew over how long Shohei Ohtani takes between innings to get ready to pitch, resurrecting a complaint Toronto shared during the World Series last year.<\/p>\n
The Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player led off the Blue Jays\u2019 4-3 victory with a walk and remained on base for the remainder of the first inning. Ohtani returned to the dugout and didn\u2019t take the mound to warm up until less than a minute remained on the two-minute clock. When that time was extended, Blue Jays slugger George Springer appeared to approach home-plate umpire Dan Merzel to ask how much time Ohtani had left.<\/p>\n
Some drama between the #BlueJays<\/a> and #Dodgers<\/a>.<\/p>\n George Springer approached HP umpire Dan Bellino to inquire about the amount of warmup time for Shohei Ohtani.<\/p>\n Dave Roberts was visibly annoyed in the dugout. <\/p>\n (\ud83d\udcf9: @sportsnet<\/a>) #BlueJays50<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/HwghO9tdnQ<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Daniele Franceschi (@Daniele_Media) April 8, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n The two-minute clock is subject to the umpire\u2019s discretion, and Ohtani is usually given extra time \u2014 especially following a half-inning in which he participated offensively. It\u2019s not uncommon for opposing managers to raise the issue during an Ohtani start, including in Toronto during last year\u2019s World Series. The Game 7 broadcast showed Blue Jays manager John Schneider complaining to umpire Jordan Baker<\/a> about how much time Ohtani was given.<\/p>\n \u201cJust talking about the World Series, I think they were a little frustrated about how long Shohei takes in between innings,\u201d Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Wednesday. \u201cBut if he\u2019s on the bases, there\u2019s got to be some grace, which the umpires are trying to give him.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, if you\u2019re on the other side, you\u2019re trying to rush him as much as possible and treat him like any other pitcher. But the truth is that he\u2019s different. But I understand their gripe.\u201d<\/p>\n Ohtani conceded he might have felt some fatigue and \u201cdidn\u2019t feel that great\u201d during Wednesday\u2019s outing<\/a>, but still completed six innings and allowed just an unearned run in the Dodgers\u2019 loss.<\/p>\n Apr 9, 2026<\/p>\n Connections: Sports Edition<\/p>\n Spot the pattern. Connect the terms<\/p>\n Find the hidden link between sports terms<\/p>\n Play today’s puzzle<\/p>\n<\/p>\n