Dodgers pull an unusual move with Shohei Ohtani for his start

Ohtani, 31, has long made a name for himself as a premier player with both the ball and the bat. This also marks the first time in Ohtani’s Dodgers career that he has opened a season completely healthy as a pitcher.

Through his first two starts on the mound this season, the four-time MVP Ohtani has gone 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA, a 0.75 WHIP, and eight strikeouts through 12 total innings pitched. At the plate meanwhile, Ohtani is batting .254 with five home runs and 10 RBIs through 17 games.

Alden Gonzalez of ESPN reports that the decision by the Dodgers was influenced by the fact that Ohtani took a 94-mph pitch to his upper back (near his right shoulder) during Monday’s game against the Mets. Now Ohtani is slated to pitch in a game but not also hit for the first time in five years.

On top of that, the Dodgers have an off day on Thursday before facing the Colorado Rockies on the road on Friday to begin a four-game set. Thus (at least for Wednesday’s contest), Ohtani won’t have to worry about making the same funny mistake he had during a previous start on the mound.