The saga of Shohei Ohtani is evolving right in front of us.
Come Tuesday night, the Dodgers’ dual-threat phenom is set to pitch against the Houston Astros, assuming his role as Major League Baseball’s most dominant starting arm. Ohtani’s incredibly low 0.60 earned run average leads all of baseball. Across 30 innings pitched, he has not allowed a single home run. Batters facing him currently have a .160 batting average, a .226 slugging percentage, and a .464 on-base plus slugging percentage; these figures place him second, first, and first, respectively.
By any metric, Ohtani’s outstanding performance in what is his initial fully robust pitching campaign since 2023 is undeniable. Should he avoid injuries, maintain his current impressive rhythm, and complete approximately 160 innings, his inaugural Cy Young Award could very well be within reach.
However, concerning Ohtani’s other primary role, the one he undertakes nearly every game, the situation is less favorable. As a batter, the four-time Most Valuable Player is experiencing one of the most sluggish offensive beginnings of his remarkable career. His .814 on-base plus slugging percentage ranks 54th among eligible hitters, and his .240 batting average places him 103rd. A significant 37 individuals have hit more home runs than Ohtani’s six. He is currently posting his lowest career line-drive percentage. He has only hit one long ball since April 12 and has failed to record a hit in his last 17 plate appearances.
He appears to be struggling, experiencing difficulties.
Consequently, for the third occasion in his previous four starts as a pitcher, Ohtani will not participate as a batter on Tuesday.
This decision, it’s worth noting, diverged from the initial strategy. Prior to Monday’s game, manager Dave Roberts informed journalists that Ohtani was slated to bat the next day. Yet, the team’s leader altered his stance after observing his crucial player enduring another unproductive evening at the plate.
“Simply observing the progression of events, and then I just sensed that, based on my assessment of how everything is unfolding, I believe this choice is optimal for all involved,” Roberts communicated to journalists, among them Bill Plunkett from The Orange County Register. “It’s certainly not (influenced by) statistics. It’s more about the player’s demeanor and my observations of him.”
While Shohei Ohtani is enjoying a Cy Young-caliber season as a pitcher, his performance at bat has been less successful. (Image courtesy of Leslie Plaza Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
(Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Throughout his six years with the Angels in Anaheim, Ohtani largely controlled his own destiny, holding considerable sway over his professional path. He largely set his own schedule for the team, which typically accommodated his wishes. The Angels, a team often lacking depth, had little alternative; they relied heavily on every swing and every pitch from their unparalleled talent.
However, circumstances are unfolding quite differently within the Dodgers’ organization.
It seems Ohtani is no longer the primary decision-maker. The Dodgers’ management team — comprised of Roberts, President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman, and General Manager Brandon Gomes — is now guiding the operations. This contingent has been remarkably clear about their plans for Ohtani’s dual responsibilities.
“I believe we have demonstrated through resting him a few times already on his pitching days that our goal is to, understandably, control his overall exertion,” Roberts conveyed to journalists on Monday.
“It’s illogical for him to participate continuously as both a pitcher and a batter, playing daily and pitching weekly. That presents significant challenges,” Friedman clarified to AM 570 last weekend.
Ohtani, for his part, is acquiescing to the strategy. This is unsurprising for the amenable 31-year-old, who seldom expresses any dissatisfaction. During his regular press conferences — distinct from all other MLB players, as he addresses the media solely after pitching — Ohtani consistently provides responses that are often comically evasive. His replies, delivered in English via interpreter Will Ireton, typically consist of vague statements aimed at preventing any disagreement.
“I will consistently uphold the decision, irrespective of whether I am pitching or engaging in both roles,” Ohtani stated, through Ireton, after his latest appearance on the mound. “Engaging with the athletic trainers and consulting with the club, I believe it’s paramount that the organization determines what benefits the collective best.”
This constitutes an affirmation, certainly, but it lacks fervor. Ohtani has not openly declared a preference for batting or resting during his pitching days. It’s possible he genuinely has no strong inclination, or perhaps he is simply demonstrating respect and deference to those in charge. However, considering his previous approach in Anaheim, it’s fair to presume Ohtani would prefer to hit, unless he states a different preference.
At present, nevertheless, the Dodgers are prioritizing a long-term outlook. Guaranteeing Ohtani’s peak condition for October remains their foremost concern. Eventually, they will need to reintroduce Ohtani to performing both roles in the same contest, should that align with Los Angeles’s anticipated postseason strategy.
That particular challenge is several months off. For the time being, the Dodgers can persist with their current approach, provided Ohtani remains content. Considering the team’s championship-or-failure mindset, this strategy is logical, even if it implies that baseball’s most singular athlete will become progressively less distinctive.
Nevertheless, contemplating Ohtani as constrained, in any capacity, feels atypical. He has consistently appeared boundless, save for the rare elbow ligament tear. Repeatedly, Ohtani has defied the sport’s physical limitations, causing our anticipations for him to become increasingly extravagant over time.
This is why this recent, seemingly minor occurrence strikes one as significant. Regardless of the underlying cause — be it age, declining performance, the Dodgers’ philosophy, or a blend of these factors — Ohtani is being held back. It also serves as a reminder that he cannot sustain *this* indefinitely. The passage of time is ultimately unbeatable. Consequently, adjustments will become necessary. Indeed, they are already underway.
Ohtani continues to be the most extraordinary figure in professional baseball. The fact that he is a serious contender for the Cy Young Award merely one season after hitting 55 home runs is utterly astounding. His offensive production is expected to rebound soon. He retains his status as the sport’s most valuable athlete. No other individual in baseball occupies his extraordinary realm of celebrity.
Despite this, even those who seem boundless encounter boundaries.
