Ohtani pitching – Dodgers manager Dave Roberts says Shohei Ohtani is being held out of the lineup during pitching starts as part of a long-season “make every start” approach—balancing his two-way workload while Los Angeles remains firmly on track.
The Los Angeles Dodgers’ approach to managing Shohei Ohtani during pitching days is getting a clear explanation from within the clubhouse, and Dave Roberts made the logic sound both practical and protective.
Roberts addressed why Ohtani—who is not only their most dangerous bat but also their impact starter—was held out of the lineup against the Miami Marlins on Tuesday.. The manager’s message was centered on one priority: keep Ohtani on track to pitch every time he’s scheduled while still allowing enough flexibility for how his body responds.. Roberts said Ohtani’s goal is to make every start. and that the plan requires “some compromise” and a willingness to read and react.. For the Dodgers. that means not always forcing the full two-way routine on days when his workload is already at its highest.
That Tuesday game offered a visible snapshot of the strategy.. Ohtani was making his fifth pitching start, and he had not batted in two of those appearances.. For fans who love the spectacle of Ohtani contributing both ways. it’s a reminder that even elite players can’t be treated like an every-day maximum-effort machine—especially across a long. grind-heavy regular season.
The timing also matters.. Ohtani was coming off a stretch in which the Dodgers had played 12 straight games. an extended run that can quietly tax routines. recovery schedules. and readiness.. Getting a day off at the plate—while still fulfilling his role on the mound—can help preserve freshness and keep the focus where it belongs that day.. In other words. the Dodgers aren’t just managing baseball; they’re managing momentum. energy. and the fine margins between being sharp and being merely adequate.
The record gives the front office room to be deliberate.. Los Angeles has started the season 20-9. a strong enough position that resting Ohtani from batting on certain pitching days doesn’t threaten the team’s broader rhythm.. When a team is winning consistently. it can afford to protect the very asset that makes it harder for opponents to plan.. It’s not a “wait and see” approach—it’s a controlled one.
From a performance standpoint, Ohtani’s impact continues to show both sides of the equation.. Coming into Tuesday. he had six home runs and 13 RBI while posting a .278/.398/.500 slash line—numbers that signal a hitter who isn’t just participating when he’s asked. but producing at a level defenses have to respect.. On the mound. his early-season run has been just as dominant: a 0.38 ERA and a 0.75 WHIP. with a 2-0 record and 25 strikeouts over 24 innings.. Those pitching results help explain why the Dodgers can choose “preserve the bat” on some days without fearing the overall drop-off.
There’s also a bigger baseball logic behind Roberts’ comments.. Two-way players operate in a constant balancing act because the demands aren’t parallel—they’re additive.. Pitching requires highly specific mechanics, precise energy allocation, and recovery time that’s tied to arm health.. Hitting, meanwhile, asks for timing and repetition that benefits from consistent at-bats.. When Ohtani pitches, he doesn’t just swap roles; he has to complete a full starter’s routine.. Even for a player with rare physical tools. the Dodgers are treating the schedule like something to optimize rather than something to endure.
This is where the human element shows up.. A rested elite performer isn’t merely “comfortable”—he’s more likely to stay consistent.. It’s the kind of decision that might look small in a box score. but it’s exactly how long seasons are navigated: by preventing avoidable fatigue from becoming something that forces a bigger response later.. If Ohtani is truly aiming to make every start. then limiting unnecessary load on pitching days is a form of respect for the calendar and the body.
Looking ahead. the Dodgers’ willingness to hold him out of the lineup at times may become a recurring theme. not because they’re worried about his ability. but because they’re committed to maximizing availability.. The “read and react” part of Roberts’ explanation suggests that the plan will remain flexible—adjusting based on how Ohtani feels. how games flow. and how the season wears on everyone else.. For now. Los Angeles appears to be turning that philosophy into results: staying strong in the standings while using targeted rest to keep their two-way star ready when it matters most.