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Shohei Ohtani’s career-best 53-game on-base streak ended on a night in which he pitched six scoreless innings.
That’s something only Ohtani could accomplish, but the two-way superstar could have games like that a little less often.
“I’m focused, as a leadoff hitter, on getting on base. As long as I feel good overall, the results will follow,” Ohtani said through interpreter Will Ireton. “That has not been the case [lately].”
Before Wednesday’s loss to San Francisco, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts made it clear he is committed to Ohtani’s health and keeping him healthy to perform both on the mound and at the plate for the long haul.
And that could look different from day to day, depending on how Ohtani feels.
“I’m always going to let the manager make the final decision and I’m always going to be prepared when I start that I’m going to hit,” Ohtani said. “But if it makes sense as a team to occasionally put a guy in as a DH or hit later, that’s fine too. I wouldn’t do the same thing anymore other than that.”
For some games, that could mean Ohtani pitches, but he doesn’t hit as the designated hitter — and Roberts plans to keep his options open.
Ohtani was solid on the mound again for the Dodgers in a 3-0 loss to the San Francisco Giants, allowing no earned runs for the third time in four starts this season. A week earlier, Ohtani was held out of the lineup while pitching for the first time since 2021 because he was still sore from being hit by a pitch.
Hitting his usual leadoff spot, Ohtani went 0 for 4 with a strikeout, hitting a fly ball to left in his final at-bat. It ended an on-base streak that matched Shawn Green for the second-longest in Dodgers history. Duke Snider holds the team record of 58 games from May 13 to July 11, 1954. Ohtani’s streak was the longest in the majors since Orlando Cabrera reached base in 63 straight from April 25 to July 6, 2006.
“The season isn’t over and I could start another streak and that would be great,” Ohtani said. “We’ll see how it goes.”
The 31-year-old Ohtani saw his batting average drop from .271 to .258. He has allowed one earned run over 24 innings for a 0.38 ERA and a 2-0 record, surrendering 15 hits with 25 strikeouts and six walks.
“I think if you look at the overall numbers, it’s definitely something. I still feel really good about putting his name in the lineup,” Roberts said. “I know the last start I chose not to have him hit and just pitch. I’m open to it. We’ll see. It’s something that we’ve definitely flagged and also you have to look at what’s the option. In previous years or last year, you’ve got to weigh, who’s another option?”
Catcher Dalton Rushing has become a capable fill-in at DH. He is hitting .414 with seven homers and 13 RBIs.
The two-time defending World Series champion Dodgers have dropped four of five. They lost 3-1 in Tuesday night’s series opener at rival San Francisco.
Roberts had not yet decided whether Ohtani would play in the series finale Thursday. He said beforehand that he had no qualms about giving Ohtani five at-bats on a day he pitches, but would consider moving him down the batting order if it made sense.
“I think everything has to be on the table,” Roberts said.
Report from the Associated Press.
