Full Breakdown
Dodgers Use Pitch-Only Starts to Preserve Shohei Ohtani’s Pitching Momentum
5/8/2026, 12:53:25 AM
Pitch-Only Start in Houston
On Tuesday the Dodgers sent Shohei Ohtani to pitch without a lineup spot. He worked seven innings, struck out eight, allowed four hits and two homers (Christian Walker, Braden Shewmake), taking a 2-1 loss. He threw 70% strikes, no walks.
Two-Way Role and Recent Offensive Struggles
Ohtani is the Dodgers’ hitter and a two-way player. He entered after a 0-17 hitless stretch, his longest since 2022. He is batting .240 with a .382 OBP, six homers, 14 RBIs and 23 runs, while the Dodgers scored one run.
Pitching Performance Metrics
Through six starts Ohtani posted a 0.97 ERA, 42 strikeouts and nine walks, the 14th pitcher since 1920 with an ERA under 1.00, joining Fernando Valenzuela. He limited opponents to a .160 batting average, ground balls on 55.4% of outs, and threw 70% strikes with no walks.
Strategic Rationale
Manager Dave Roberts has left Ohtani out of the lineup in three of his last four starts, calling the move a “breather” to protect durability. It could cut about 75 plate appearances, costing five to six home runs. He is slated to rejoin the batting order after the series with the Astros.
Official Statements & Responses
The Dodgers said they are “just trying to respect the effort he expends” and use “breathers”. Ohtani told reporters he does not think his pitching has hurt his hitting, but he understands the decision to have him focus on pitching when the offense struggles.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Ohtani says he does not feel his pitching hurts his hitting, while a team source suggests his pitching may be a factor in the offensive slump.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I don’t think so, personally, that pitching has been affecting my hitting. But I understand, in a situation where [the team says], ‘Hey, just focus on pitching, turn the page on hitting,’ I understand the team might think like that.” — Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers pitcher
- “I think the offense, including myself, hasn't done a great job scoring runs, and if there was a situation where I was hitting well, I'm sure the team would want me to pitch and hit as well,” — Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers pitcher (via interpreter)
- “I think so,” says a team source. “But [we’re] just trying to respect the amount of effort he expends in his current role. To find a spot here and there to give him a slight breather seems like a smart thing to do from a longevity standpoint.” — Unnamed Dodgers team source
- “Ohtani is at heart a two-way player nearly as much as he breathes.” — Tom Verducci, Sports Illustrated senior writer
