Dodgers’ Dave Roberts Reveals Possible Shohei Ohtani Move

Shohei Ohtani’s conditioning is been otherworldly, but Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts still appreciates his two-way superstar needs a break.

Roberts said he is inclined to move Ohtani out of his customary leadoff spot and further down in the Dodgers lineup on days he pitches.

Ohtani has gone from the mound to the on-deck circle without even a pause in the dugout in each of his first two starts. Ohtani has only made single-inning outings against the Padres and Washington Nationals as he recovers from Tommy John surgery in his throwing elbow.

But Ohtani will be a two-way player for the Dodgers, starting on the hill every fifth-or-sixth day once he gets built up.

Why Does Dave Roberts Want To Move Shohei Ohtani Down In The Lineup On Days He Pitches?

Ohtani bats leadoff so the Dodgers can maximize his plate appearances, since the reigning National League MVP — and favorite to win the award again this year — is one of the best hitters in the game.

Roberts has spoken openly about the Dodgers’ need to have him in the lineup, since he hits for average, hits for power, steals bases and basically stirs the LA offense. But Ohtani is also an elite starting pitcher, since he finished fourth in AL Cy Young voting in 2022 and only lost out on the MVP award to Aaron Judge in his 62-homer season that year.

So Roberts wants to help Ohtani get a break without sitting out on days he starts, even though Ohtani doesn’t necessarily feel he needs the blow.

“I asked him before his last start, and he said he’s completely fine hitting leadoff and doesn’t want to change,” Roberts said before his start Sunday. “But coming out of this [start] it might make more sense [for Ohtani] to hit second or third or fourth. But right now we’ll remain status quo.”

Ohtani mostly batted second or third with the Angels before he signed his then-record 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers. If Ohtani still batted second, he would be guaranteed not to go from the batter’s box to the mound while still maximizing his potential plate appearances.

But moving Ohtani to the No. 2 hole could also upset the Dodgers’ lineup flexibility late in games, since Roberts surely won’t want to stack him and fellow lefty Freddie Freeman — assuming Mookie Betts moves into the leadoff spot.

Roberts could put either righty Teoscar Hernandez or Will Smith into the No. 3 hole on days Ohtani starts. Smith, who leads the NL in batting (.328) could slot right in.

Still, moving Smith up would move Freeman down, which would give him fewer plate appearances. Freeman is one of the best hitters in the NL and at .321 ranks second behind Smith in batting average.

What Are The Next Steps For Shohei Ohtani’s Return To Pitching?

Ohtani was extremely inefficient in his first outing for the Dodgers when he allowed two runs, threw 28 pitches and only 16 strikes against San Diego on June 16.

Roberts hinted that Ohtani could throw two innings against Washington before he stuck with just one on June 22. But with the Dodgers’ pitching staff decimated by injury, they surely will want Ohtani to start eating innings, especially if he is going to be dominant, even if Roberts is willing to be patient for now.

“I think right now is more hard and fast,” Roberts said. “As we build more of a foundation, there will be more latitude [to push Ohtani].”