Shohei Ohtani has been lights-out on the mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers this season, but is in the midst of a prolonged slump in the batter’s box.
That’s sparked debate, if not a belief, that Ohtani’s pitching success has caused the drop in offensive production. It’s a sentiment manager Dave Roberts expressed is likely the case.
The two-way superstar doesn’t believe his increased responsibilities as a pitcher has had any effect on hitting, but admitted he didn’t expect his slump at the plate to last as long as it has.
“I don’t think so, personally, that pitching has been affecting my hitting,” Ohtani said through interpreter Will Ireton on SportsNet LA. “But at the same time, it has been a little bit longer than my expectations, in terms of the hitting side of things.
“I’ve been getting on base, which is a good thing. I just want to make sure that the quality of balls in play are better. It’s not ideal that I’m trying to find that in the game. I just have to continue to do what I’m supposed to do.”
Ohtani wasn’t in the lineup when he took the mound Tuesday against the Houston Astros. It was the second time in as many starts the Dodgers chose to limit him to a single role and the third such instance overall this season.
The 31-year-old is understanding of the organization’s decision.
“If I was hitting well, I’m sure the team would want me to pitch and hit as well,” Ohtani said. “But I understand, in a situation where, ‘Hey, just focus on pitching, turn the page on the hitting.’ I understand that the team might think like that.”
The Dodgers are aware this isn’t the most optimal use of their superstar’s skillset but are keeping his best interests in mind.
Preserving Ohtani’s arm health is the main motivation behind at times reducing his workload, especially because of the increased workload he has taken on this season.
The right-hander has pitched at least six innings and thrown a minimum of 87 pitches in each of his six starts this season. Ohtani’s seven innings on Tuesday against the Astros was his longest start since 2023.
For reference, Ohtani threw 87 pitches or more in just five of his 18 starts last season. In that same timeframe, he reached the six-inning mark in just four appearances.
While questions presumably will linger if Ohtani struggles, he emerged at least for one game on Wednesday by going 2-for-4 with one double, one RBI and one walk in the Dodgers’ blowout win.
Miguel Rojas deflects blame away from Shohei Ohtani
While Ohtani has taken on plenty of external criticism, Miguel Rojas put blame on himself and the rest of the Dodgers lineup for the offense’s recent struggles.
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