Dodgers Shockingly Leave Shohei Ohtani Out of Lineup vs. Mets After Injury
Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani is absent from the lineup for the New York Mets for the series finale, though he will still be pitching. Ohtani is still making his pitching start, though he is not going to be batting, with Kyle Tucker leading off in his place and catcher Dalton Rushing getting a start at the designated hitter spot. Manager Dave Roberts said that Ohtani was starting as a pitcher when asked about his injury on Wednesday, though he did not clarify his hitting status.
Ohtani was hit by a pitch by David Peterson on Monday for the series opener against the Mets, striking his shoulder. Apr 14, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (17) steps on to the mound after the game against the New York Mets at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images The shoulder injury did not seem like a concern in the aftermath, looking more like a painful injury than a serious one that would require significant time off.
However, with the Japanese sensation pitching a full workload, they seemingly want to give his body some time off. Jack Harris of The California Post notes that Wednesday’s absence from the lineup is the first time he has pitched. “First time since May 28, 2021, that Ohtani has not hit during a pitching start (and that was before MLB instituted its new two-way rule that allows him to stay in games as a hitter after his pitching start is done),” Harris wrote.
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dodgers Nation (@dodgersnation) Shohei Ohtani’s on-base streak Ohtani will certainly be missed, especially since he is on a streak of getting on base. He has successfully reached in 48 straight regular-season games, dating back to 2025.