Dodgers giving slumping Shohei Ohtani a break from batter's box
Ohtani will sit Thursday and maybe Wednesday. He will hit in his normal leadoff spot Tuesday night against Giants righty Adrian Houser.
Shohei Ohtani has not been his best in the batter’s box this season. Dave Roberts is giving him a break. The Dodgers manager told reporters on Tuesday that he’s planning give Ohtani the day off on Thursday when the Dodgers close a four-game series against the San Francisco Giants.
Roberts is also leaning toward sitting Ohtani on offense during his scheduled pitching start on Wednesday against San Francisco. Roberts confirmed the plan a day after telling reporters that he intended to give Ohtani at least one day off this week. Ohtani will play Tuesday night Ohtani will hit in his normal leadoff spot Tuesday night against Giants righty Adrian Houser.
But he’s getting at least one day off from hitting from there. “It certainly should be on the table,” Roberts said Monday when asked about giving Ohtani a mental break with a day off. The Dodgers had just come off a 9-3 loss as Ohtani went 0-for-5 in the leadoff spot.
Roberts was then asked if Ohtani was as “out of whack” as he’s seen him. Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani walks back to the dugout after striking out during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants in Los Angeles, Monday, May 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong) ASSOCIATED PRESS “Yes, it is,” Roberts said .