Dodgers plan to give slumping Shohei Ohtani hitting break

Shohei Ohtani, the two-way star for the Dodgers, has been struggling at the plate recently. Manager Dave Roberts has decided to give Ohtani a break from hitting for the next two games, even though he will still be pitching. This break is meant to help Ohtani recover and reset mentally from his offensive slump.

Ohtani’s hitting numbers have been down, with a .200 batting average over the last month and only one home run in his last 108 plate appearances. This is a stark contrast to his previous seasons, where he was a powerhouse hitter. The added workload of pitching full-time seems to be affecting his hitting performance, as balancing both roles is proving to be challenging.

Roberts believes that Ohtani’s struggles at the plate are a result of fatigue from his workload as a two-way player. He wants to be proactive in managing Ohtani’s playing time to prevent further decline in his performance. Despite his current difficulties, Roberts still believes that Ohtani’s two-way role is sustainable long-term.

The decision to give Ohtani a break from hitting is a strategic move to help him recalibrate and get back on track. Roberts wants Ohtani to focus on pitching for now and only consider a pinch-hit appearance in the upcoming games. He understands the pressure that Ohtani puts on himself to excel in both roles and wants to support him in finding a balance.

Overall, Roberts is optimistic that this break will benefit Ohtani in the long run. He plans to continue monitoring Ohtani’s workload and making adjustments as needed to ensure his success. Ohtani’s talent and work ethic are undeniable, and with the right support, he is expected to overcome this slump and return to form.