Shohei Ohtani’s Batting Struggles Lead to Temporary Bench Decision

How severe is Shohei Ohtani’s recent batting slump?

Manager Dave Roberts has mentioned that Ohtani might not be in the Dodgers’ lineup as a hitter for the next couple of nights. While he was scheduled to lead off on Tuesday as the designated hitter, Roberts indicated that Ohtani would take Thursday off and may pitch on Wednesday instead.

This plan would give Ohtani two consecutive days away from batting. Roberts thinks this break could help the 31-year-old, who has been going through an extended stretch of poor offensive performance.

Roberts stated, “I think it might be beneficial to reduce the offensive load on him.” He believes allowing Ohtani to rest could help him reset and recover a bit.

Ohtani clearly needs that reset at the plate. Heading into Tuesday, he had a dismal 4-for-38 batting average over the last 11 games and only hit .200 over the previous month. Astonishingly, he has managed just one home run in his last 107 at-bats, a stark contrast to the powerhouse known for hitting 50 consecutive home runs and winning multiple MVP awards.

In previous seasons, Ohtani didn’t have the same full-time pitching role he currently has. Starting the first six games, he boasted an MLB-best 0.97 ERA. While he contests the notion that his pitching might affect his batting, both he and the team recognize the demanding balance between these two roles—especially since his swing has not looked very smooth lately.

“We knew we had to adapt,” Roberts said, discussing the complexities of managing Ohtani’s workload. “It’s a fluid situation, and given its uniqueness, nobody expected it to be easy.”

It’s evident that both hitting and pitching at such high levels is a tough ask.

Roberts observed, “I think fatigue from all this is starting to show in his hitting mechanics,” noting that most players tend to realize this kind of burnout later in the season. “But I think it’s coming a bit sooner for him due to the strain of managing both roles.”

Ohtani’s current OPS of .767, while still above the league average, is the lowest it’s been since 2022, and his recent performance has been particularly troubling. After going without a hit for two games straight on Sunday and Monday, he has struggled with maintaining discipline at the plate, expanding his strike zone significantly. Roberts referred to this kind of behavior as a “classic example” of a hitter trying to break out of a slump, further supporting the idea of giving Ohtani some time off.

“For me, I think if a hitter’s at-bats start declining notably, that’s a clear sign they probably need a break,” Roberts said. “You can’t stick to your game plan—whether mechanically or mentally—when that happens.”

On Wednesday, Ohtani will still be engaging on the mound, looking to continue a promising start to his pitching season. However, on Thursday, Roberts has plans for him to arrive at the stadium later, focusing on rest and recovery. There’s even a possibility he may be called upon as a pinch-hitter later in the game.

Roberts emphasized how much this two-way role has changed for Ohtani since his last full-time stint with the Angels. “I can’t overlook what’s going through his mind. So I try to remain sensitive to his needs,” he noted.

In discussing Ohtani’s situation, Roberts feels that maintaining his two-way capability still “definitely seems sustainable” for the remainder of the season. He believes that taking some time off now could help Ohtani get back on track.

For the time being, Roberts just wants to be proactive about Ohtani’s condition to prevent his slump from worsening.

“He always wants to do more,” Roberts said about Ohtani’s dedication to his teammates. “Like many great players, I’ve learned it’s essential to manage that urge and take the initiative when needed.”