Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani seeks answers to slump amid return to two-way role
Shohei Ohtani is experiencing an offensive slump, going 0-for-17 over five games, as he balances his return to a two-way role with the Dodgers. Despite his struggles at the plate, Ohtani has excelled as a pitcher, earning National League Pitcher of the Month honors with a 0.60 ERA in his first five starts. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has decided to have Ohtani focus solely on pitching in his upcoming starts, citing workload management rather than performance.
- ▪Shohei Ohtani went 0-for-17 over five consecutive games, worsening his offensive slump.
- ▪Ohtani earned National League Pitcher of the Month honors after going 2–1 with a 0.60 ERA in his first five starts.
- ▪Dodgers manager Dave Roberts decided to have Ohtani focus only on pitching, marking the third time in four outings he was limited to one role.
- ▪Ohtani acknowledged the difficulty of managing a two-way workload, calling it a 'balancing act' with his health and preparation.
- ▪Despite the offensive struggles, Ohtani has maintained a similar number of daily swings in practice as in previous high-performing seasons.
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MLB Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani seeks answers to slump amid return to two-way role By Jack Harris Published May 5, 2026, 12:01 p.m. ET HOUSTON — Three hours before first pitch Monday, Shohei Ohtani had already put in a full day’s work. Mired in a 0-for-14 slump entering this week’s series against the Astros, Ohtani got out on the field early at Daikin Park, taking not only rare on-field batting practice but an elongated session that included 55 swings. A little while later, he reemerged from the clubhouse wearing both his full uniform and pitcher’s mitt, heading down to the bullpen for some touch-and-feel throws the day before he was scheduled for his next start on the mound. 3 Dodgers DH Shohei Ohtani flies out during the seventh inning against the Astros in Houston on May 4.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at California Post.
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