Dodgers’ Dave Roberts Facing Shohei Ohtani Decision

Ohtani's load management in games where he is the starting pitcher has become a topic of conversation amongst the baseball world. In two of his pitching starts this season, Ohtani has been out of the hitting lineup, getting valuable rest as he assumes the full two-way role for the first time in three years.

"Obviously having him do both duties, in theory, practice, it's great," Roberts said. "But how sustainable is it without kind of taking a little bit off his plate a little bit? That's the question, and it's not an exact science."

To this point in the season, Ohtani has been lights out on the mound. His earned run average is 0.60, the lowest in the majors and the lowest by a Dodgers pitcher through five starts since Fernando Valenzuela in 1985 according to ESPN.

In his last start against the Miami Marlins he allowed two runs on five hits, but struck out nine batters. Ohtani pitched against the Marlins on only five days rest, his shortest of the season thus far and still tossed 104 pitches.

"I'm always going to respect the decision regardless whether I'm pitching or doing both," Ohtani, speaking through an interpreter, said. "I also understand the importance of getting to the end of the season with everybody healthy. So talking with the training staff, talking with the team, I think it's really important that the team makes the decision on what's good for the team."

As a hitter Ohtani is batting a .252 average with 30 hits, 13 RBIs and six home runs, continuing to show why he is among the best in the majors.

Roberts' priority will be keeping Ohtani healthy throughout the season as the Dodgers make the push for a third consecutive World Series championship and their tenth overall in franchise history.