Ohtani Prepares for Game Amid Slump
HOUSTON — Three hours before Monday’s game, Shohei Ohtani had already put in a full day of practice. Entering the series against the Astros with a rough 0-for-14 stretch, he showed up early at Daikin Park, where he not only participated in rare on-field batting practice but also took 55 swings in a lengthy session.
Shortly after, he came back out in full uniform and a pitcher’s mitt, heading to the bullpen for practice throws ahead of his scheduled mound appearance on Tuesday.
After all that, Ohtani returned to his locker, plopped down, and took a moment to catch his breath before diving into more preparations for the night’s game.
Some might overlook how demanding a full-time dual role can be, even for someone as talented as Ohtani. The four-time MVP has had impressive seasons pitching and hitting, especially with the Angels from 2021 to 2023. Coming back from a second Tommy John surgery late last year with the Dodgers, he’s familiar with the grind.
Still, the start of this season indicated that readjusting was trickier than anticipated. By the end of Monday night, changes in his usage began to surface.
Before the game, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts mentioned plans for Ohtani to serve as DH during his pitching day, but after the team’s 8-3 win, he shifted that plan. Ohtani would focus solely on pitching, marking the third time in four games he was limited to just mound duties.
Despite his efforts, Ohtani’s hitting struggles continued, leading to five games without a hit (which extended his streak to 0-for-17). Roberts, however, insisted the decision to limit Ohtani had no connection to the slump. Instead, it was a response to observing Ohtani’s body language.
Roberts acknowledged that balancing Ohtani’s workload has been a challenge. Yet, there’s no doubt about his talent on the mound; he’s currently 2-1 with a 0.60 ERA over five starts and was named National League Pitcher of the Month.
But the decline in his batting is palpable. With a .240 average and just six home runs so far—one in the last 20 games—it’s evident something is off. Roberts pointed out that balancing pitching and hitting takes time, and Ohtani has begun to feel the pressures of managing those duties. He described this year’s role as a “balancing act.”
Hitting coach Aaron Bates noted that while Ohtani is still swinging as much as he did in past successful seasons, there’s a noticeable strain in his focus. In the midst of his slump, Bates highlighted Ohtani’s recent batting practice session, where he showcased impressive power, hitting multiple home runs into the stands.
Unfortunately, once the game started, those pre-game efforts didn’t translate. Roberts was optimistic but acknowledged the challenge of Ohtani’s current situation. However, he believes that a two-way balance is still achievable.
Ohtani’s routine is under review, but for now, managing his workload seems key as he attempts to regain his swing while continuing to excel on the mound.
