Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani sits out as a designated hitter for the first time without injury during the ongoing San Francisco Giants series. Manager Dave Roberts opted to bench Ohtani amid a prolonged batting slump, allowing him to focus solely on his pitching duties.
Ohtani’s Batting Struggles
Ohtani went 1-for-4 in the series opener against the Giants, failing to deliver in key moments during the Dodgers’ 14-5 victory. Through 42 games this season, he posts a .240 batting average (36-for-150), seven home runs, 17 RBIs, and an OPS of .797. While respectable for most players, these numbers fall short of Ohtani’s elite standards.
Since joining the Dodgers in 2024, Ohtani delivered 170 hits, 50 home runs, and an OPS over 1.000 in each of his first two seasons. However, his recent form dipped to .214 over the last seven games, including a home run on the 13th that still left analysts wanting more.
Roberts Makes Bold Call
Roberts confirmed Ohtani will not bat during his start on the 14th and will serve only as a pinch hitter on the 15th. “I discussed this with Ohtani, and my thoughts aligned with his. We both agreed,” Roberts stated. He added, “Sitting out for a few days like this can sometimes reveal reasons for a slump.”
This marks the first instance Ohtani skips DH duties without injury, even after elbow surgery sidelined his pitching in prior years. He previously sat out on May 15 against the Mets and May 29 versus the Marlins due to similar adjustments.
Elite Pitching Keeps Ohtani Valuable
Ohtani’s mound work contrasts sharply with his bat. In six starts, he logs 37 1/3 innings with a 2-2 record, 0.97 ERA, and 0.81 WHIP. Every outing qualifies as a quality start (six-plus innings, three or fewer earned runs).
Even in the May 6 Houston Astros game, where he surrendered two home runs, Ohtani completed a quality start with seven innings pitched. Analysts note his consistency provides the Dodgers stability during his hitting woes.
