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Why Shohei Ohtani isn't in Dodgers' lineup vs. Mets on Wednesday
TL;DR
Shohei Ohtani will not be the designated hitter for the Dodgers against the Mets, focusing solely on pitching due to soreness in his throwing shoulder. Manager Dave Roberts explained that this decision allows Ohtani to concentrate on his pitching performance.
LOS ANGELES — Shohei Ohtani was surprised when Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts informed him that he would not be the designated hitter in the series finale against the New York Mets on Wednesday, April 15.
The two-way superstar's responsibilities would strictly be on the mound as the Dodgers concluded their six-game homestand.
"(He was) maybe surprised, but fine with it, because I've never asked him to pitch and not hit," Roberts said pregame. "Explaining to him why, I think it makes complete sense."
The why was straightforward enough: Ohtani took a sinker from Mets pitcher David Peterson to the back of his throwing shoulder to lead off Monday's 4-0 win and was still dealing with soreness. He was also having issues getting loose to hit after his afternoon throwing sessions, though Roberts said Ohtani is feeling "much better than he did two days ago, and better than he did yesterday."
In Roberts' eyes, the move lets Ohtani focus on one thing and is what he feels is the best way to keep him loose throughout his outing.
"We felt — training staff, pitching coaches and myself — we just thought it was the best thing for him," Roberts said. "So once I told him, he completely understood."
Roberts expects Ohtani to be DHing again and pitching in his next start but didn't close the door on possibly dropping him down from the leadoff spot — or even sit him out of the lineup entirely — on some of his pitching days at some point down the road, if the situation calls for it.
But that's something that Roberts said he won't be necessarily proactive about. After all, anytime you don't have your best hitter in the lineup, it has to be a move that makes sense.
And for Roberts, taking the bat out of Ohtani's hands makes the most sense on Wednesday.
"Specific to today, I think this is the right decision," he said. "This is the best decision, for him not to hit today. Then the question is, when does he hit on days that he pitches? Where does he hit in the order? I think there's fair arguments to both — to moving him down a little bit, to give him a breather, to let him get into the game — I'm not prepared to make that decision quite yet, but it is something that I'm mindful of.
"You can tell (Mets manager) Carlos Mendoza he's an option, though."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why Shohei Ohtani is out of the Dodgers lineup vs Mets on Wednesday
Q&A
Why is Shohei Ohtani not hitting against the Mets on April 15?
Shohei Ohtani is not hitting due to soreness in his throwing shoulder after being hit by a pitch earlier in the week.
What did Dodgers manager Dave Roberts say about Ohtani's absence from the lineup?
Dave Roberts mentioned that Ohtani was surprised but fine with the decision, emphasizing it allows him to focus on pitching.
How is Shohei Ohtani's condition after being hit by a pitch?
Ohtani is feeling much better than he did two days ago, although he is still dealing with some soreness in his shoulder.
