Upon his arrival with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Shohei Ohtani has served as a designated hitter in 347 contests and as both a designated hitter and starting pitcher in 20 matchups (including postseason play). This past Wednesday marked his inaugural appearance exclusively as a pitcher.
The outcome proved favorable.
Ohtani recorded ten strikeouts while allowing only two hits, two walks, and a single earned run over six innings during an 8-2 triumph for the Dodgers against the New York Mets on Jackie Robinson Day. This performance concluded his initial 12-inning stretch of the season without conceding an earned run, though he maintains an impressive 0.50 ERA after three starts.
With Ohtani not batting in the lineup, Kyle Tucker, who typically bats second for the team, assumed the leadoff position, and Freddie Freeman advanced from the cleanup spot to second in the batting order.
Ohtani’s previous pitching start where he did not bat occurred on May 28, 2021, while he was a member of the Los Angeles Angels. That particular start also took place prior to the implementation of the ‘Ohtani rule,’ which permits him to continue as a designated hitter even after concluding his pitching duties.
Following his pitching conclusion on Wednesday, he exited the game.
The choice to rest Ohtani from hitting followed two days after he was struck on the shoulder by a pitch from Mets pitcher David Peterson. Subsequently, he recorded no hits in seven at-bats during Monday and Tuesday’s games.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts informed journalists on Wednesday that Ohtani remained tender from being hit by the pitch, yet clarified that this soreness was not the reason for his absence from hitting. Rather, Roberts stated that this arrangement “provides him with the optimal opportunity to maintain flexibility throughout his pitching performance.”
Shohei Ohtani participated solely as a pitcher this Wednesday. (Image credit: Jessie Alcheh/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
(Jessie Alcheh via Getty Images)
Furthermore, the Toronto Blue Jays expressed grievances during Ohtani’s previous start regarding the duration permitted for his warm-up between innings following his time on base, extending a discussion initiated during the previous year’s World Series. It remains uncertain if this situation influences the current decision, but it certainly demonstrates that performing as a two-way player demands complexities beyond the already challenging feat of excelling in both batting and pitching.
Before Wednesday’s game, Ohtani stood as the sole legitimate starting pitcher to have prevented any earned runs this season. He has appeared somewhat altered in his initial two starts of 2026, but the primary concern for the Dodgers is his continued well-being.
Ohtani’s exclusive role as a pitcher did not jeopardize his outstanding 48-game on-base streak, which is a leading figure in MLB and an existing record for players born in Japan.
