After setting multiple records as a hitter last year, Shohei Ohtani has returned to a two-way role in his second season with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The three-time MVP made his Dodgers pitching debut on June 16 and has totaled seven starts to date, yielding a 2.40 ERA in 15 innings of work.
While Ohtani has found success on the mound, his offensive production isn’t quite where it was before he resumed pitching.
Dating back to the night of Ohtani’s first start as a pitcher this season, he’s batting .213/.335/.532 with two doubles, two triples, 13 home runs and 32 RBI over 37 games.
Ohtani has particularly struggled on days after a start, going just 2-for-20 with a home run and two RBI. The homer came after his most recent pitching outing against the Minnesota Twins on July 22.
“I just think that it’s too early for me to determine the day of, the day after,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of Ohtani’s offensive woes during games he pitches or the following day. “I think he’s made six outings, something like that, and two of them were one inning.
“So it’s like, I don’t think that’s a toll on him the day after. So I’m not letting that noise get to me, but I do think that for him to do that is certainly a positive. But yeah, we’ll keep tracking it, though.”
Roberts said the Dodgers have considered starting Ohtani on days before a break in the schedule, but decided against it because they are confident he will change the pattern.
“We do have some off days coming up, so they could play into when he’s pitching,” Roberts explained. “But honestly, there was thoughts when he was pitching that he wasn’t really swinging the bat, so the day after, we’re not going to settle for two days when he’s pitching; the day of and the day after.
“Because him in the batter’s box is still certainly a threat. So I don’t think we’re giving that too much thought right now.”
Shohei Ohtani leaves start due to cramps
The Dodgers had a goal for Ohtani to pitch four innings in his most recent start against the Cincinnati Reds, but he left the outing early due to cramping in his right hip. Ohtani did manage to reach the fourth inning but failed to retire any of the two batters faced.
And though Roberts downplayed concern over Ohtani’s drop in offensive production, Ohtani’s last start and his next outing both were scheduled right before an off day.
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
