Roberts confirms rest day for Ohtani in pregame press conference (Photo: Nobuyuki Kobayashi)
LOS ANGELES — Dodgers manager Dave Roberts announced during a pregame press conference that Shohei Ohtani will be given a rest day, and even suggested the possibility of the star not taking the plate for two consecutive games.
Roberts revealed he had a direct conversation with Ohtani, saying, “We talked yesterday and today. Shohei knows he won’t hit on Thursday.” He confirmed the plan to give Ohtani his first rest day of the season in Thursday’s game against the San Francisco Giants (Friday in Japan). By giving Ohtani a full day off the day after his scheduled start, the team aims to improve his overall condition.
The Dodgers are in the midst of a 13-game stretch, tied for their longest of the season. Ohtani went 0-for-5 in the previous game, dropping his batting average to .233. Coupled with an 11-game, 51-plate-appearance homerless drought, the decision for a full rest day was made to help him reset.
As for Ohtani’s start on the mound Wednesday (Thursday in Japan), Roberts said, “I haven’t decided if he’ll be a two-way player or just pitch. But I’m leaning toward not having him hit.” If Ohtani sits out both games at the plate, it would be a rare move.
The media continued to focus on Ohtani’s condition during the press conference. When asked about the pros and cons of a rest day, Roberts explained, “The advantage is reducing the burden on his hitting, giving his body a little rest. As a two-way player, it’s a long-term perspective, and this gives him an opportunity to reset offensively. The disadvantage is simply that I won’t be able to write his name near the top of the lineup.”