LOS ANGELES — Despite Shohei Ohtani’s multi-hit night that snapped his two-week-long home run drought on Tuesday night, the two-way superstar is out of the lineup for the third game of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ rivalry series against the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday, May 13.
The move doesn’t come as a surprise, as manager Dave Roberts had confirmed postgame Tuesday that Ohtani would not hit Wednesday after previously saying he was “leaning towards” sitting the two-way superstar for his outing on the mound in addition to a planned day off for Thursday’s series finale.
“We were both good with it,” Roberts said. “I don’t like the baby switch. I think that sometimes that might have been something where you know you get a couple days off of hitting, and it might have freed him up. So, you just never know and to go back on a pact or a decision that we came upon or I came upon, I don’t like that.”
Mookie Betts will take the leadoff spot on Wednesday while Teoscar Hernández will be the Dodgers’ designated hitter.
Roberts said that while Ohtani will not DH on Thursday, either, he may make him available to pinch-hit late in the game if the situation calls for it. But as currently planned, this will mark the first time Ohtani will be out of the lineup on two consecutive days for a non-injury or paternity leave-related reason since 2021, according to Jack Harris of the California Post.
Though the pitfalls of not having a guy that’s hit over 50 home runs in each of the last two seasons in the lineup are obvious, Roberts believes this will only help Ohtani in the long run as an opportunity to physically and mentally reset.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
April 21, 2026: Shohei Ohtani bats against San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Landen Roupp at Oracle Park.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
April 21, 2026: Shohei Ohtani bats against San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Landen Roupp at Oracle Park.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
Oct. 17, 2025: Shohei Ohtani celebrates with teammates in the clubhouse after defeating the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 4 of the NLCS at Dodger Stadium.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
Oct. 4, 2025: Shohei Ohtani made his first postseason pitching appearance in NLDS Game 1 against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The Los Angeles Dodgers prevailed, 5-3, and Ohtani got the win.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
Sept. 9, 2025: Shohei Ohtani steals second base under the tag of Colorado Rockies second baseman Tyler Freeman during the third inning at Dodger Stadium.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
Aug. 27, 2025: Shohei Ohtani is interviewed by Spectrum SportsNet reporter David Vassegh (right) alongside translator Will Ireton after a game against the Cincinnati Reds at Dodger Stadium.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
Aug. 20, 2025: Shohei Ohtani delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
July 15, 2025: Shohei Ohtani does an interview on the red carpet before the 2025 MLB All-Star Game at Truist Park in Atlanta.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
June 16, 2025: Shohei Ohtani makes his pitching debut for the Los Angeles Dodgers against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
April 2, 2025: Shohei Ohtani is greeted at home after hitting a walk-off home run against the Atlanta Braves during the ninth inning at Dodger Stadium. The Los Angeles Dodgers won the game, 6-5, on what was Shohei Ohtani bobblehead night.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
March 19, 2025: Shohei Ohtani is introduced and enters the field before the Los Angeles Dodgers’ game against the Chicago Cubs during the Tokyo Series at Tokyo Dome. The Dodgers won the game, 6-3.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
March 18, 2025: The scoreboard at the Tokyo Dome shows a photo of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani before the season opener against the Chicago Cubs during the Tokyo Series. The Dodgers won the game, 4-1.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
Nov. 1, 2024: Shohei Ohtani holds his dog, Decoy, as he walks with off the field his wife Mamiko Tanaka following the Los Angeles Dodgers’ World Series championship celebration at Dodger Stadium.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
Oct. 31, 2024: Shohei Ohtani celebrates with the Commissioner’s Trophy after the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the New York Yankees in Game 4 to win the 2024 World Series at Yankee Stadium.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
Oct. 30, 2024: Shohei Ohtani (17) and the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate after defeating the New York Yankees in Game 4 to win the 2024 World Series at Yankee Stadium.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
Sept. 19, 2024: Shohei Ohtani reacts to a standing ovation from the fans after hitting his 50th home run of the season. He hit it against the Miami Marlins during the seventh inning at loanDepot Park.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
Aug. 28, 2024: Shohei Ohtani with his dog Decoy after he delivered he first pitch before a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Dodger Stadium.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
Aug. 24: Shohei Ohtani is doused after he joined the 40-40 club with a walk-off grand slam.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
July 25, 2024: Shohei Ohtani runs the bases after hitting a solo home run against the San Francisco Giants during the eighth inning at Dodger Stadium.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
July 16, 2024: Shohei Ohtani celebrates after hitting a three-run home run during the third inning of the 2024 MLB All-Star Game at Globe Life Field.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
July 16, 2024: Shohei Ohtani walks the red carpet with wife Mamiko Tanaka before the 2024 MLB All-Star Game at Globe Life Field.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
April 29, 2024: Shohei Ohtani breaks for third base against the Diamondbacks.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
April 26, 2024: Shohei Ohtani rounds the bases after hitting a home run against the Blue Jays.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
April 24, 2024: Shohei Ohtani gestures to his dugout at second base after hitting an RBI double against the Nationals.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
April 23, 2024: Shohei Ohtani in the outfield during a throwing session prior to the Dodgers’ game.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
April 21, 2024: Shohei Ohtani hits a solo homer against the Mets during the third inning at Dodger Stadium.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
April 12, 2024: Shohei Ohtani is showered with sunflower seeds after hitting a solo home run in the first inning against the Padres.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
April 9, 2024: Shohei Ohtani hits a fly ball against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
April 7, 2024: Shohei Ohtani gestures after hitting a one-run double against the Cubs at Wrigley Field.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
April 5, 2024: Shohei Ohtani hits a two-run home run against the Cubs at Wrigley Field.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
April 2, 2024: Shohei Ohtani waits on deck in the first inning against the Giants at Dodger Stadium.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
March 28, 2024: Shohei Ohtani makes his Opening Day debut against the St. Louis Cardinals at Dodger Stadium.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
March 20, 2024: Shohei Ohtani gets his first hit as a Dodger in the third inning during the 2024 Seoul Series game against the Padres.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
March 20, 2024: Mamiko Tanaka, wife of Shohei Ohtani, watches Ohtani’s debut as a Dodger in the season opener in Seoul, South Korea.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
March 13, 2024: Shohei Ohtani signs autographs before the spring training game against the Seattle Mariners at Camelback Ranch.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
March 5, 2024: Shohei Ohtani talks with former Los Angeles Angels teammate Mike Trout before a spring game.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
March 3, 2024: Shohei Ohtani looks on from the dugout during a spring training game against the Colorado Rockies at Camelback Ranch.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
Feb 21, 2024: Shohei Ohtani (left) and pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto poses during picture day at Camelback Ranch.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
Feb 21, 2024: Shohei Ohtani poses for a portrait during picture day at Camelback Ranch.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
Feb. 14, 2024: Shohei Ohtani takes batting practice during a Spring Training workout at Camelback Ranch.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
Dec. 21, 2023: Shohei Ohtani and interpreter Ippei Mizuhara (right) pose with Los Angeles Rams mascot Rampage at SoFi Stadium.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
Dec. 14, 2023: Shohei Ohtani and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts pose for pictures during the press conference.
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Shohei Ohtani: Dodgers’ $700 million man in photos
Dec. 14, 2023: Shohei Ohtani is introduced by the Los Angeles Dodgers for the first time at a press conference at Dodger Stadium.
This is the first time in almost three years that Ohtani has the workload of both a full-time hitter and a full-time pitcher. He underwent a second surgical procedure on his throwing elbow in September 2023, three months before signing a 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers. Ohtani only played DH in his first year in LA and founded the 50/50 club as he rehabbed his right arm.
A shoulder subluxation in his right shoulder during the 2024 World Series delayed his offseason throwing program, and Ohtani didn’t appear on the mound for the Dodgers until June 16, 2025.
Even then, he slowly built up his workload and didn’t reach six innings until September. But now, Ohtani’s been full-go since spring at 31 years old. Roberts believes the fatigue from that has bled into his mechanics at the plate, leading to his slow start offensively this season.
Ohtani seemed to turn a corner at the plate in Tuesday’s 6-2 loss to the Giants, starting the game off with a leadoff single into right field and later connecting on a sinker from San Francisco starter Adrian Houser for his first home run in his last 52 plate appearances, dating back to April 26 against the Chicago Cubs.
Even though Roberts was encouraged by the reigning back-to-back NL MVP’s performance and acknowledged the cons of not having him in the lineup, he’s still sticking to his guns that this decision won’t put a stop to any rhythm he might have created on Tuesday.
“You’re still pitching and you just can’t be reactive over one game. You really can’t,” Roberts said. “I’ve talked about the workload, and I’ve talked to him at length about it. It’s tough on days he pitches so I don’t think it’s fair to the player just to assume he got a couple knocks so he should be in there tomorrow. I don’t like playing that game.”
It’s all part of the learning process Roberts has gone through over the last two years when it comes to managing a generational player like Ohtani.
“He’s always gonna want to do more,” Roberts said. “He has that sense of responsibility to his teammates, and he wants to be out there on both ways. And so, I think that I’ve learned that I have to be proactive and take it out of his hands, like most great players.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why isn’t Shohei Ohtani hitting vs. Giants tonight? What to know
