HOUSTON — Three hours before first pitch Monday, Shohei Ohtani had already put in a full day’s work.
Mired in a 0-for-14 slump entering this week’s series against the Astros, Ohtani got out on the field early at Daikin Park, taking not onlyrare on-field batting practicebut an elongated session that included 55 swings.
A little while later, he reemerged from the clubhouse wearing both his full uniform and pitcher’s mitt, heading down to the bullpen for some touch-and-feel throws the day before he was scheduled for his next start on the mound.
By the time it was all done, he returned to his locker, plopped down in his chair, and allowed himself one brief moment to seemingly catch his breath.
Only then did he begin the rest of his preparation for that night’s game.
In case anyone forgot, the challenge of a full-time two-way role — even for Ohtani and his near-superhuman capabilities — is not for the faint of body, mind or heart.
Thefour-time MVPhas done this all before, of course, largely excelling in both his pitching and hitting duties over three seasons with the Angels from 2021–2023, as well as in his return from a second career Tommy John surgery at the end of last year with the Dodgers.
But as the first month of this season showed, the re-acclimation process hasn’t been as seamless as anticipated.
Which, by the end of Monday night, had led to another twist in his usage.
Before Monday’s game, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he was planning to have Ohtani serve as DH when the 31-year-old took the mound on Tuesday — a one-time formality that has now become a start-to-start question.
Source: California Post – Breaking California News, Photos & Videos
