Dave Roberts Reveals Shohei Ohtani Decision After Dodgers Loss

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Segun Ajayi | Last updated Jun 11, 2026 12:13 PM ET

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has confirmed that Shohei Ohtani will remain in the lineup as the designated hitter on Thursday after the Dodgers’ 9-8 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday. Dodgers beat writer Bill Plunkett shared the decision on X after the game as Los Angeles prepares for the series finale at PNC Park.

The Dodgers entered Wednesday looking to build on Tuesday’s 12-3 victory over Pittsburgh. They appeared in control for most of the night and carried a 6-1 lead into the later innings behind a strong performance from Ohtani and a grand slam from rookie Ryan Ward.

Ward gave Los Angeles an early boost when he launched the first grand slam of his major league career. The Dodgers continued to apply pressure at the plate, while Ohtani delivered another solid outing on the mound.

Entering the seventh inning, Ohtani looked on track to earn his fifth consecutive win. The Pirates started their comeback when rookie Tyler Callihan singled and Jake Mangum reached on a bunt.

#Dodgers Dave Roberts said Shohei Ohtani will be in the lineup at DH on Thursday
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) June 11, 2026

Ohtani then faced Brandon Lowe with two runners aboard. After falling behind in the count, Ohtani left a fastball over the plate, and Lowe drove it for a two-run double. The hit cut the Dodgers’ lead and ended Ohtani’s outing.

The 31-year-old worked 6 2/3 innings and allowed six hits and four runs, three of them earned. All three totals marked season highs for the Dodgers star. Even with those numbers, he still kept Los Angeles in front for most of the game.

Before Wednesday, Ohtani owned one of the best pitching records in baseball. He entered the start with a 0.74 ERA through 10 outings. He had allowed only five earned runs in more than 60 innings while establishing himself as one of the National League’s most effective starters.

The Dodgers still held the lead after Ohtani left the mound. Los Angeles entered the game with a 36-3 record when leading after seven innings this season. But Pittsburgh broke through against the Dodgers bullpen with a five-run rally.

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (17 and manager Dave Roberts (30) © Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Callihan delivered the biggest hit of the inning when he crushed a three-run home run to center field to give the Pirates their first lead of the night. Spencer Horwitz followed later in the inning with a two-run homer that pushed Pittsburgh’s advantage to 9-6.

Ohtani launched a two-run home run in the top of the ninth inning to cut the deficit to one run. The homer provided another highlight in an impressive season and gave Los Angeles one final chance to complete a comeback. But the rally stopped there, and the Pirates secured a 9-8 victory to even the series.

Despite the loss, Ohtani continued to show why he remains one of the team's most valuable players. Along with his success on the mound, he has remained one of the Dodgers’ top hitters throughout the season.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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