Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider had a long conversation with home plate umpire Jordan Baker between the first and second inning of Game 7 of the World Series on Saturday.
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Shohei Ohtani, the Dodgers’ designated hitter and starting pitcher, ended the top of the first inning on third base, then had to shift to the mound for the bottom of the first inning.
Although Major League Baseball limits the amount of time players have between innings before starting a new inning, according to the league, umpires “may provide extra time if warranted by special circumstances.”
#Dodgers Shohei Ohtani took a long time getting to the mound after his at-bat to end the third inning. Clock ran down but umpire let him warm up — umpire’s discretion on clock re-set. John Schneider questioning it from Blue Jays dugout. Threw his hands to his sides, palms up
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) November 2, 2025
Ohtani is the only full-time two-way player in baseball. The Dodgers’ leadoff hitter and starting pitcher in Game 7 needed more time to prepare to pitch after fulfilling his duties as a DH, singling to begin the game before he was stranded on third base.
According to Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times, Ohtani didn’t get to the mound until 45 seconds remained on the timer.
Ohtani, who was stranded at third base, didn’t make it to the mound until about 45 seconds remained on clock. Umpires gave him extra time to complete warmups.
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) November 2, 2025
According to Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group, Ohtani took a long time getting to the mound again after he lined out sharply to outfielder Nathan Lukes to end the top of the third inning.
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That prompted Schneider to throw his hands to his sides, palms up, as if to suggest he didn’t understand why Ohtani was granted extra time again.
But in each case, it appears the umpires recognized that Ohtani needed more time to warm up, and were within their rights under the rules to grant it.
The gesture certainly didn’t help Ohtani, who was removed from the game in the bottom of the third inning with a 3-0 deficit.
Ohtani allowed a leadoff single to George Springer, then retired Lukes on a sacrifice bunt. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was walked intentionally with first base open. That set the stage for Bo Bichette.
Bichette clobbered Ohtani’s first pitch, a slider over the middle of the plate, 442 feet to center field for a game-changing home run. Justin Wrobleski relieved Ohtani, who remained in the game as the Dodgers’ designated hitter.
Some in the Canadian media were quick to highlight that Ohtani already has a special dispensation in MLB’s rules enjoyed by no one else in baseball.
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