04/22/26 08:36:00
Printable Page
04/22 20:35 CDT Shohei Ohtani might be held out of the lineup during more
pitching starts, Dodgers manager says
Shohei Ohtani might be held out of the lineup during more pitching starts,
Dodgers manager says
By JANIE McCAULEY
AP Baseball Writer
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) --- Dave Roberts is committed to Shohei Ohtani's health and
keeping him fresh to perform both on the mound and at the plate for the long
haul.
And that may look different by the day or week, depending how the two-way star
is feeling.
For some games, that could mean Ohtani pitches but isn't batting as the
designated hitter --- and the Los Angeles Dodgers manager plans to keep his
options open.
Ohtani made his fourth mound start Wednesday night against the San Francisco
Giants. A week earlier, Ohtani was held out of the lineup while pitching for
the first time since 2021 because he was still sore from getting hit by a pitch.
The 31-year-old Ohtani entered with a batting average of .271, five home runs
and 11 RBIs in 85 at-bats. He had allowed just one earned run over his first 18
innings of 2026 for an ERA of 0.50 and 2-0 record, surrendering 10 hits with 18
strikeouts and six walks.
Ohtani also had a career-best on-base streak of 53 games, tied for second in
Dodgers history with Shawn Green. Duke Snider owns the team record at 58 games
from May 13-July 11, 1954. Ohtani's streak is the longest in the majors since
Orlando Cabrera reached base in 63 straight from April 25-July 6, 2006.
"I think if you look at the overall numbers it's certainly something. I still
feel really good about putting his name in the lineup," Roberts said. "I know
the last start I chose not to have him hit and just pitch. I am open to it.
We'll see. It's something that we've certainly flagged, and also you have to
look at what's the option. In years past or last year, you've got to kind of
weigh, who's a different option?"
Catcher Dalton Rushing has become a capable fill-in at DH. He's hitting .414
with seven homers and 13 RBIs.
The two-time defending World Series champion Dodgers had dropped three of four
after losing the series opener at San Francisco 3-1 on Tuesday night.
When Roberts spoke to Ohtani earlier Wednesday, the four-time MVP --- including
two-time reigning NL MVP --- was "really focused."
"He wants to reset things, to go out there and pitch well and give us a chance
to win tonight," Roberts said.
Roberts had yet to decide whether Ohtani would play the series finale Thursday.
He said beforehand he had no qualms about giving Ohtani five at-bats on a day
he's pitching but would consider moving him down in the batting order if that
makes sense.
"I think everything should be on the table," Roberts said.
___
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB
|