Roberts defends Ohtani's extra warm-up time: 'He's different'

The Toronto Blue Jays once again appeared to take issue with Shohei Ohtani's extended warm-up time on the mound, much to the disagreement of Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts.

Blue Jays designated hitter George Springer had some words for home plate umpire Dan Bellino when Ohtani was given extra warm-up time on the mound early in Wednesday's game after he finished the top half of the inning as a baserunner. Manager John Schneider and star slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. also had exasperated looks on their faces during the sequence, while Roberts shook his head in response.

"If he's on the bases, there's gotta be some grace, which I think the umpires are trying to give him," Roberts told reporters following Wednesday's 4-3 loss in Toronto.

"But the truth is that he's different."

Wednesday's situation was similar to last year's epic Game 7 at Rogers Centre, when Ohtani also started and received extra warm-up time, again to the Blue Jays' dismay.

(Video source: MLB.com)

Since MLB introduced the pitch clock in 2023, between-inning breaks have been limited to two minutes during regular-season games and two minutes, 55 seconds in the playoffs. Pitchers must complete their warm-ups within this timeframe. However, MLB's rules contain an exception: "If the pitcher is on base, on deck, or at bat when the inning ends, the timer begins when the pitcher leaves the dugout for the mound."

Roberts admitted Wednesday that he sympathized with the Blue Jays' position but insisted that Ohtani's unique two-way status warrants the exception.

"I think just talking about the World Series, obviously, they were a little frustrated about how long Shohei takes in between innings," Roberts said.

"If you're on the other side, you're trying to rush him as much as possible, and treat him like any other pitcher. ... But I understand their gripe."