Shohei Ohtani to Sit Out Hitting Duties Amid Struggles

Shohei Ohtani’s recent struggles at the plate have prompted Dodgers manager Dave Roberts to consider giving the two-way star a break from hitting in one of the team’s final two games against the San Francisco Giants this week. Ohtani is expected to pitch on Wednesday, but Roberts has not yet determined whether the mental reset day will come then or on Thursday.

As Ohtani returns to a full-time role as a two-way player for the first time since 2023, managing his rest has become a complex challenge. He previously opted not to hit in three of his first six starts on the mound, including his last two outings. Nonetheless, Ohtani has participated in all 41 games this season, showcasing his resilience.

“One of those days he’s not going to hit, I haven’t decided,” Roberts said. “But on top of that, given what we’re asking of him on the pitching side, it’s a fair question.” The decision to rest Ohtani comes as he grapples with a prolonged slump at the plate.

The last time Ohtani cleared the fence was on April 26 against the Chicago Cubs, marking the end of a 59-plate appearance drought without a home run, his longest since joining the Dodgers. Since that moment, he has gone 51 plate appearances and 13 full games without a long ball, which is now his second-longest stretch with the team.

In Monday’s loss, Ohtani was hitless in five at-bats, striking out twice. Over the span since his last home run, he has managed just seven hits in 43 at-bats, posting a batting line of .163/.294/.209, along with seven walks and 12 strikeouts. This slump has affected his overall season line, which now stands at .233/.363/.404, translating to a 114 wRC+. His isolated power is currently at .171, a significant decline of 75 points from any of his previous five seasons.

Roberts noted, “Even early on [in the season] when he wasn’t hitting, he was still taking walks and getting on base. Tonight was a classic example; I think he’s just trying to swing out of it, that’s just so apparent. A lot of hitters, when they’re scuffling, they want to swing out of it, and tonight was one of those nights.” As Ohtani seeks to regain his form, the Dodgers remain hopeful that a brief respite from hitting may provide the clarity he needs.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.