Shohei Ohtani struck out 10 for the Los Angeles Dodgers against the New York Mets on Wednesday in Los Angeles, but he did not bat in a game that marked the first time since 2021 he pitched without also hitting.
Ohtani, who started for the Dodgers on April 15, was still sore from a hit-by-pitch and was kept out of the lineup, a rare pause in the routine for a two-way player whose pitching outings have normally come with a turn at the plate. The Dodgers are now looking ahead to the next stretch of his schedule, including the team's upcoming series against the Giants and another start noted on the club's slate against the Mets on Jackie Robinson Day.
The night fit Ohtani's reputation in one way and broke with it in another. He overpowered the Mets with 10 strikeouts, yet for the first time in five years he finished a pitching appearance without batting. That made the outing more than just another start; it was a reminder that even a player built around uncommon flexibility can be forced into a narrower role when his body needs a break.
For Ohtani, the sore spot from the hit-by-pitch was the reason the Dodgers held him out of the lineup. For the club, it was a practical decision, not a permanent shift, and one that kept him on the mound while taking away one of the most familiar parts of his game. What comes next is whether he is cleared to return to both duties the next time he takes the field.