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Ohtani Homers, Ends Slump, Rests Two Days

5/13/2026

37 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Shohei Ohtani homered Tuesday, ending a 53-plate-appearance drought and his first long ball since April 26.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts announced Ohtani will sit out Wednesday and Thursday to rest amid his hitting slump.
He is 4-for-36 in May with a .233 average, no home runs and a .358 OPS.
Despite the slump, Ohtani posts a 0.97 ERA, a 2-2 record and 42 strikeouts in six starts.

History

Historical Context

When the 1998 Yankees, managed by Joe Torre, kept Derek Jeter in the lineup and still posted a franchise-record 114 wins en route to a World Series title, they showed that managing star players’ workload can coexist with success. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts’ recent choice to sit Shohei Ohtani illustrates that strategic rest remains a common MLB approach.

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Story summary

Shohei Ohtani homered Tuesday, ending a 53-plate-appearance drought and his first long ball since April 26.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts announced Ohtani will sit out Wednesday and Thursday to rest amid his hitting slump.
He is 4-for-36 in May with a .233 average, no home runs and a .358 OPS.
Despite the slump, Ohtani posts a 0.97 ERA, a 2-2 record and 42 strikeouts in six starts.

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