Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts Accuses Padres of Intentionally Hitting Shohei Ohtani, Sparks Heated NL West Rivalry Controversy

Tempers flared and tensions rose this week in Major League Baseball as Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts delivered one of his most pointed criticisms in years, directly accusing the San Diego Padres of intentionally hitting superstar Shohei Ohtani during a heated division rivalry game. The fiery accusation has reignited one of the league’s most contentious matchups and placed renewed scrutiny on player safety, gamesmanship, and the invisible lines teams walk between strategy and sportsmanship.

The incident occurred during the seventh inning of Wednesday night’s clash at Dodger Stadium, with the Dodgers holding a narrow 3-2 lead. Ohtani, who had already singled and stolen a base earlier in the game, stepped to the plate for his third at-bat. Padres reliever Adrian Morejon delivered a 97 mph fastball that drilled Ohtani on the back shoulder. The two-way phenom dropped his bat immediately and walked toward first base without retaliating, but the silence in the ballpark quickly gave way to outrage—especially in the Dodgers’ dugout.

Roberts, known more for his even-keeled leadership than for fiery outbursts, wasted no time in confronting the umpiring crew. While the officials huddled to determine whether the hit-by-pitch was intentional, Roberts turned his attention to the Padres’ bench, shouting across the field and later needing to be restrained by Dodgers coaches. After the game, the 2020 World Series-winning skipper did not hold back.

“It was deliberate,” Roberts said in the postgame press conference. “They know exactly what they were doing. Shohei’s been torching them, and they’re frustrated. But there’s no place for that in the game—especially when you’re talking about the face of baseball.”

Roberts’ accusations point to growing friction between the Dodgers and Padres, two franchises with massive payrolls, superstar talent, and aspirations of dominating the National League. The Dodgers, long the gold standard in the division with 12 straight postseason appearances, have maintained their status as top dog. Meanwhile, the Padres have positioned themselves as a brash up-and-comer, adding stars and swagger in recent years.

Tensions have flared before—both on the field and in public statements—but the incident involving Ohtani represents a potential escalation. The Japanese superstar, signed by the Dodgers to a record-setting $700 million contract this past offseason, has been everything the club hoped for. At the time of the incident, he was batting .326 with 21 home runs and an OPS over 1.000. He’s also drawn admiration across the sport for his professionalism and dedication.

“What makes this even worse is that Shohei plays the game the right way,” said Dodgers veteran Freddie Freeman. “He doesn’t show anyone up. He doesn’t gloat. He just beats you—and apparently that’s enough to get you plunked these days.”

The Padres, for their part, denied any intent behind the pitch. Manager Mike Shildt was measured in his postgame remarks, calling the incident “unfortunate” but stopping short of taking responsibility.

“We’re trying to pitch inside,” Shildt said. “It got away from Morejon. That’s baseball. We would never intentionally try to injure a player, much less someone like Ohtani. He’s a generational talent. We respect him.”

Still, Roberts was unconvinced and called on MLB to investigate the matter and consider disciplinary action. “If we’re serious about protecting stars, and if we’re serious about the integrity of the game, then there needs to be accountability,” Roberts stated. “You can’t just let this slide because it sets a terrible precedent.”

The league has not issued an official statement, but sources say that the Commissioner’s Office is reviewing footage and internal reports from the umpiring crew. If the pitch is deemed intentional, Morejon could face a suspension, as could Shildt under MLB’s rules regarding team responsibility for player conduct.

This isn’t the first time Ohtani has been at the center of controversy regarding hit-by-pitches. During his MVP campaigns with the Angels, opposing pitchers occasionally targeted him with inside pitches to disrupt his timing or retaliate after home runs. But his new stature as the Dodgers’ marquee player has amplified the stakes. Los Angeles invested not only money but also the weight of the franchise’s next chapter in Ohtani, who is expected to be both the face of the team and a cultural ambassador to baseball fans globally.

Fans were quick to react to the incident, with many taking to social media to support Roberts’ defense of Ohtani. Dodgers faithful praised the manager’s passion, with hashtags like #ProtectShohei and #RobertsWasRight trending within hours. Padres fans, predictably, saw it differently—arguing that the pitch was clearly unintentional and that Roberts was using the moment to fire up his team and shift the narrative during a tightly contested series.

MLB analyst and former pitcher David Cone chimed in during a national broadcast the following night, saying, “Pitching inside is part of the game, but there’s a line you don’t cross. Hitting Shohei Ohtani in a one-run game with a fastball? That’s going to raise a lot of eyebrows.”

For Roberts, the motive seemed clear. “They’re sick of him beating them,” he said. “But that’s not how you respond. You pitch better. You game-plan better. You don’t try to take the guy out.”

Whether or not the league ultimately agrees with Roberts’ view, the incident has cast a spotlight on one of MLB’s most electric rivalries—and added fuel to the fire as the summer stretch heats up. The Dodgers and Padres are scheduled to meet again in two weeks at Petco Park, and all eyes will be on how both clubs handle the aftermath.

Ohtani, meanwhile, seems unfazed. “I’m OK,” he told reporters after the game. “It’s part of baseball. I’ll be ready tomorrow.”

His grace under pressure only further endears him to Dodgers fans, who have watched Ohtani become an instant fan favorite—not just for his elite skills, but for his humility and unshakable composure. Still, his teammates remain deeply protective.

“We’ve got his back,” said Mookie Betts. “If anyone thinks they can mess with Shohei without consequences, they’ve got another thing coming.”

The Dodgers ultimately won the game 5-3, with Ohtani scoring the go-ahead run in the eighth inning after singling and stealing second. The win kept Los Angeles atop the NL West standings and sent a message that the team remains focused—even in the face of controversy.

For Roberts, though, the issue transcends the scoreboard.

“This isn’t about one game,” he said. “It’s about respect. It’s about the right way to play the game. And as long as I’m managing here, I’m going to stand up for our guys—especially when they’re being targeted.”

With the division race heating up and the season entering its crucial summer months, the Dodgers-Padres rivalry just gained another chapter—one written in fastballs, fury, and a manager unafraid to speak the truth.