Alden Gonzalez
Multiple Authors
LOS ANGELES — Shohei Ohtani was not in the beginning lineup for his begin day towards the New York Mets on Wednesday, marking the primary time in 5 years that Ohtani has pitched however not additionally hit.
The Los Angeles Dodgers made the choice two days after Ohtani took a 94 mph sinker to his higher again, close to his proper (pitching) shoulder, in Monday’s first inning. Ohtani remained in the sport and began at designated hitter Tuesday night time, however Dodgers supervisor Dave Roberts stated protecting him out of the lineup Wednesday “gives him the best chance to stay loose” throughout his begin.
“When he’s hitting, there’s a component that he’s in the cage, getting ready to hit,” Roberts stated. “If we can take that off his plate, and just focus on one thing tonight, we felt, training staff, pitching coaches and myself — we just felt it was the best thing for him. Once I told him, he completely understood.”
Dalton Rushing, the Dodgers’ promising younger catcher who’s restricted to a backup position, changed Ohtani at designated hitter. Kyle Tucker moved into Ohtani’s customary leadoff spot.
The final time Ohtani began a sport on the mound however not in the lineup was May 28, 2021, the yr earlier than Major League Baseball instituted what’s often known as “The Ohtani Rule,” which permits pitchers to spend whole video games in the lineup if additionally they begin at DH.
The hit by pitch was the most important issue in the choice to not bat Ohtani however coupling it with Thursday’s off day was additionally interesting, particularly as a result of the Dodgers will play their subsequent 4 video games at mile-high altitude in Denver.
Ohtani, absolutely recovered from a second restore of his ulnar collateral ligament, is navigating his first full-time two-way season since 2022. And although there is no such thing as a set plan, the Dodgers may search different alternatives to offer him a break from hitting on his begin days.
“I think that it’s something I’m going to keep an eye on if it makes sense, but not just kind of do it proactively,” Roberts stated. “I think it’s something that the game, Shohei — it’s got to make sense to not have your best hitter not in the lineup.”
