Shohei Ohtani will be the Dodgers starting pitcher Wednesday night.
But in a surprise, the two-way star will not serve as designated hitter in the team’s series finale against the New York Mets.
The reason behind the lineup decision wasn’t immediately clear. Since joining the Dodgers and returning from a second-career Tommy John surgery last year, Ohtani has been in the lineup for every one of his previous pitching starts with the team.
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However, it might have to do with a hit-by-pitch Ohtani took off his right pitching shoulder in Monday’s game.
Since that at-bat, Ohtani has gone 0-for-7, only reaching base via an intentional walk in Tuesday night’s game.
Overall this season, Ohtani is hitting just .254, albeit with five home runs, 10 RBIs and a .910 OPS.
Last year, Ohtani’s offensive numbers were worse on the days he pitched; his historic three-homer, 10-strikeout game in the National League Championship Series aside.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts had hinted before the season that the team could leave him out of the lineup on days he pitched this season –– though offered no indication in recent days he would do so for Wednesday.
