Shohei Ohtani returned to the Los Angeles Dodgers’ starting lineup as designated hitter on Monday night, batting leadoff against the Cincinnati Reds after sitting out four games with lingering soreness in his left knee, right biceps and neck.
Manager Dave Roberts said before the game he hoped Ohtani would look more comfortable than he had in his last appearances. “Hopefully, we don’t see that wincing we saw a handful of nights ago,” Roberts said, referring to visible discomfort Ohtani showed at the plate before taking the break.
“I don’t want to say it’s day-to-day, but I am very curious to see how he comes out of tonight to then make the decision for tomorrow and ensuing days,” Roberts said.
The Dodgers, who lead the NL West, won all four games Ohtani missed, including a sweep of the Washington Nationals.
Pitching future in doubt
Even with his return as a hitter, it looks increasingly unlikely that Ohtani will pitch again this season. He has not appeared in a game as a pitcher since July 3 and has not thrown a baseball since a bullpen session in Detroit on Aug. 28.
“We’ve put a pin in throwing,” Roberts said, “and just having him focus on the hitting, the running, keeping his legs good and doing whatever it takes to help us win.”
Pressed to explain what that means, Roberts said, “it’s not dead but we have no timetable for when he’s going to pick up a baseball.”
Asked directly why he wouldn’t simply say Ohtani’s pitching season is over, Roberts said, “I’m choosing not to say it’s dead.”
“Yes, he loves pitching, loves being a two-way player,” Roberts said, “but right now it just doesn’t make any sense. It’s more of what’s best for the team, number one, and 1A, what’s best for him.”
Ohtani himself has not addressed the matter publicly; he has not spoken with reporters since Aug. 17. Roberts described him as “happy” to be back in the lineup and “completely fine” with setting aside pitching for now.
A season of two halves at the plate
The Dodgers’ hope is that removing pitching duties will let Ohtani, a four-time MVP, refocus on hitting after a rough stretch. He is batting .279 with 30 home runs and 80 RBIs on the season, but since the All-Star break he has hit just .250 with eight homers and 22 RBIs over 41 games.
Utility player Tommy Edman filled in at leadoff during Ohtani’s four-game absence and thrived, going 7 for 17 with a .412 average, one home run, four RBIs and five runs scored. Edman was set to start at second base and bat third on Monday.
Asked whether he’d consider moving Ohtani out of the top spot in the order given Edman’s success there, Roberts said, “I think he’s our best hitter. I think the best player should have the most latitude. Is it forever? I don’t know. Is it until the end of the season? I don’t know yet.”
