For the first time in five years, the baseball world witnessed a version of Shohei Ohtani that has become nearly extinct: a pitcher who does not also hit. In a calculated move to protect their franchise centerpiece, the Los Angeles Dodgers opted to leave Ohtani out of the starting lineup on Wednesday during his start against the Novel York Mets.
The decision marks a significant departure from Ohtani’s established role as the game’s premier two-way force. Although Ohtani took the mound to lead the Dodgers’ pitching effort, he did not occupy the designated hitter spot, a rarity that underscores the team’s current priority: the long-term health of Ohtani’s pitching shoulder.
The move comes as a direct response to a frightening moment on Monday, when Ohtani was struck by a 94 mph sinker to the upper back, landing precariously close to his right pitching shoulder. Even though Ohtani remained in that game and continued to serve as the designated hitter on Tuesday night, the Dodgers’ training staff and management decided that a full day of offensive duties was an unnecessary risk during his next pitching appearance.
Prioritizing Recovery and ‘Staying Loose’
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts framed the decision not as a sign of injury, but as a strategic effort to streamline Ohtani’s physical and mental workload. By removing the requirement to hit, the team aims to eliminate the grueling preparation that accompanies Ohtani’s offensive contributions.
“When he’s hitting, there’s a component that he’s in the cage, getting ready to hit,” Roberts said. “If we can take that off his plate and just focus on one thing tonight, we felt, training staff, pitching coaches and myself — we just felt it was the best thing for him. Once I told him, he completely understood.”
This approach is particularly critical as Ohtani navigates his first full-time two-way season since 2022, following a comprehensive recovery from a second repair of his ulnar collateral ligament (UCL). The intersection of a recent hit-by-pitch and the ongoing demands of a two-way workload has forced the Dodgers to be more conservative with his usage.
Strategic Lineup Shifts and the ‘Denver Factor’
The absence of Ohtani from the batter’s box necessitated a shuffle in the Dodgers’ offensive strategy. Kyle Tucker, one of the league’s most consistent threats, moved into the customary leadoff spot to maintain the team’s high on-base percentage at the top of the order.
The designated hitter role was handed to Dalton Rushing, a promising young catcher who has primarily served in a backup capacity. For Rushing, the start represents a rare opportunity to showcase his power in a high-leverage environment, while for the Dodgers, it provides a necessary reprieve for Ohtani.
Beyond the immediate concern of the bruised shoulder, the Dodgers are looking ahead to a grueling stretch of the schedule. Following a scheduled off-day on Thursday, the team travels to Colorado for a four-game series. Pitching at the mile-high altitude of Denver is notoriously taxing on a pitcher’s stamina and recovery; the Dodgers believe that giving Ohtani a break now will better prepare him for the thin air of Coors Field.
Timeline of the Decision
| Day | Event | Outcome/Action |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Hit by 94 mph sinker | Struck in upper back/right shoulder; remained in game. |
| Tuesday | Standard DH Role | Started as designated hitter to test mobility. |
| Wednesday | Pitching Start | Started on mound; removed from batting lineup. |
| Thursday | Scheduled Off-Day | Recovery day prior to Denver road trip. |
The Evolution of the ‘Ohtani Rule’
To understand the rarity of this event, one must look back to May 28, 2021—the last time Ohtani started on the mound without appearing in the batting lineup. That era of Ohtani’s career preceded one of the most significant regulatory changes in the history of the sport.
In 2022, Major League Baseball instituted what is now colloquially known as the “Ohtani Rule.” This rule allows a player to be listed as both the starting pitcher and the designated hitter in the same game. Crucially, it ensures that if the player is removed as a pitcher, they can remain in the game as the DH, preventing the team from losing their best hitter simply due to the fact that the pitcher’s outing has ended.
While the rule was designed to maximize Ohtani’s utility, Wednesday’s game served as a reminder that even the most durable athletes have limits. The Dodgers are now exploring whether this “pitcher-only” approach on start days could become a recurring tool for load management.
Roberts indicated that while there is no formal plan to regularly bench Ohtani offensively on his pitching days, the team remains open to it. “I think that it’s something I’m going to keep an eye on if it makes sense, but not just kind of do it proactively,” Roberts noted, adding that the decision must always balance the player’s health against the tactical disadvantage of removing the team’s best hitter from the lineup.
The Dodgers will now move into their series in Denver, where the focus will remain on Ohtani’s recovery and his ability to maintain his velocity in the high altitude. The team is expected to provide further updates on his shoulder status and hitting availability following Thursday’s rest day.
Do you think the Dodgers should make ‘pitcher-only’ days a regular part of Ohtani’s schedule to preserve his health? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
