Full Breakdown
Ohtani’s DH Break: Dodgers Manage Two-Way Star’s Hitting Slump
5/13/2026, 9:03:31 AM
The Decision to Pull Ohtani from the Lineup
On May 12, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts announced that Shohei Ohtani will not appear as the designated hitter in Thursday’s game against the San Francisco Giants and may also sit on Wednesday, the day he is slated to pitch. The move is intended to give the two-way player a brief “load-off” after a prolonged offensive slump.
Background & Context
2025 marks Ohtani’s first full season as a regular two-way player for Los Angeles, a role he last held with the Angels in 2023. After two right-elbow surgeries, he returned as a DH in 2024, posting 54 home runs and winning NL MVP. This year he is pitching six innings per start with no innings restrictions, a schedule that exceeds his 2024 workload.
Data & Statistics
- Hitting: 4 hits in 36 at-bats in May (overall .233 average, 6 HR, 16 RBI). Some outlets report a .111 May average.
- Pitching: 2-2 record, 0.97 ERA, 0.81 WHIP, 42 K in 37 IP over six starts.
- Exit velocity: 94.0 mph average in the first 15 games, dropping to 91.8 mph after a 94-mph sinker hit his right shoulder on April 13; his lone May home run recorded a 105.9 mph exit velocity.
Official Statements & Responses
Roberts explained that the slump appears linked to “fatigue bleeding into the mechanics” and that “when the quality of at-bats starts to go down consistently, that’s a telling sign there needs to be a break.” He emphasized a proactive approach, noting the need to “take it out of his hands” to protect the team’s most valuable asset. The Dodgers plan to keep Ohtani in the rotation while limiting his offensive duties until his swing stabilizes.
Criticism & Opposition
Analyst Alden Gonzales (ESPN) highlighted that Ohtani’s OPS has fallen to .777, the lowest this late in a season since 2022, and called the slump “uncharacteristically severe.” Fabian Ardaya (The Athletic) warned that the dual workload may be accelerating the decline, suggesting the team must balance short-term results with Ohtani’s long-term health.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It might just be a good thing to take a little bit of a load off of his plate offensively,” — Dave Roberts, Dodgers manager
- “I think the fatigue is bleeding into the mechanics,” — Dave Roberts
- “For me, with any hitter, when the quality of at-bat starts to go down consistently, I think that’s a telling sign there needs to be a break,” — Dave Roberts
- “He has that sense of responsibility to his teammates that he wants to be out there on both ways. I've learned that I have to be proactive and take it out of his hands.” — Dave Roberts
- “A lot of times, mechanics is a result of fatigue, injury, experience with a pitcher that you don't want to get jammed, and you start cheating, and those things kind of affect your mechanics going forward,” — Dave Roberts
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the exact days Ohtani will sit: some say he will miss only Thursday, others note Roberts is “leaning toward” also skipping Wednesday. May batting averages are reported as .111 (ESPN) versus .233 overall (US News). The precise impact of the April 13 beanball on exit velocity remains unverified, with only Statcast figures cited. No official medical update has been released.
What’s Next
The Dodgers face the Giants in a series finale on Thursday, with Ohtani slated to pitch but not hit. Roberts indicated the team will reassess after the game and may extend the rest period if the slump persists. Ohtani’s next scheduled start is on May 15, where the Dodgers hope the brief hiatus will restore his offensive rhythm while preserving his pitching dominance.
