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Ohtani to Pitch Apr 28, Skip Batting, Boost Dodgers' Lead

4/28/2026

48 11 Full Breakdown

Summary

Ohtani Pitching

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts announced Shohei Ohtani will pitch on April 28 versus Miami Marlins and will not bat.
Roberts shifted Ohtani forward to give Tyler Glasnow a five-day rest before Wednesday.
Ohtani will pitch on five days’ rest, his first short turn this season, after posting a 0.38 ERA with one run in 24 innings and 25 strikeouts.
The Dodgers lead the NL West 20-9 overall and 12-4 at home.

Summary

Roberts defends rule

The rule, adopted in 2022, lets a starter be listed as pitcher and designated hitter, one role removable.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts defended the rule an Ohtani exception, while Cubs manager Craig Counsell called it bizarre, prompting Dodgers president Andrew Friedman to rebut.
To qualify, a player must have 20 innings pitched, 20 games with three plate appearances, and it does not count toward pitcher limit on a 26-man roster.

Summary

Glasnow Dominates

Closer Edwin Díaz had surgery Wednesday and will miss three months.
The Dodgers’ bullpen gave up 10 runs in 15 2/3 innings in Week 5.
The starters allowed nine runs in 45 1/3 innings during the same week.
Tyler Glasnow threw eight scoreless innings with nine strikeouts, earning game score of 88.
After the April 30 home finale, the Dodgers travel to St. Louis for a May 1 series where the Cardinals start Yamamoto, Ohtani, Glasnow and Sheehan.

Summary

Muncy Triple

Max Muncy hit three home runs, lifting his season total to nine and posting a 1.639 OPS.
Dodgers logged 266 plate appearances, 38 runs on 57 hits with a .245/.330/.408 slash line.
Tyler Glasnow earned a win, delivering eight shutout innings, nine strikeouts, a 0.00 ERA and a 0.250 WHIP.
The bullpen went 4-3, allowing 15 earned runs in 61 innings for a 2.80 ERA and a 1.066 WHIP.

History

Historical Context

In 1919 Babe Ruth posted a 9-5 pitching record and hit 29 home runs for the Boston Red Sox, prompting owner Harry Frazee to grant a $20,000 bonus—the league’s top salary. Ruth’s success proved a player could excel both on mound and at the plate, a precedent that resurfaced in 2022 when the Dodgers made Shohei Ohtani a regular two-way star.

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Ohtani Pitching

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts announced Shohei Ohtani will pitch on April 28 versus Miami Marlins and will not bat.
Roberts shifted Ohtani forward to give Tyler Glasnow a five-day rest before Wednesday.
Ohtani will pitch on five days’ rest, his first short turn this season, after posting a 0.38 ERA with one run in 24 innings and 25 strikeouts.
The Dodgers lead the NL West 20-9 overall and 12-4 at home.

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