Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani understands one-way focus amid offensive struggles

Shohei Ohtani took to the mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday night. It was the third time this year that the Dodgers chose to have Ohtani pitch only, and not hit in the lineup.

After the game, Ohtani was asked about the fact that he did not hit in the game against the Houston Astros, per an interview with SportsNet LA.

“I think the offense, including myself, hasn’t done a great job scoring runs, and if there was a situation where I was hitting well, I’m sure the team would want me to pitch and hit as well,” Ohtani said through his interpreter. “I understand the situation where ‘hey, just focus on pitching. You know, turn the page on the hitting.’ I understand that the team might think like that.”

Ohtani went seven innings in the game against the Astros, the longest outing of his season. In the game, he struck out eight with four hits. Two of the hits were solo home runs by Christian Walker and Braden Shewmake, resulting in the only two runs scored against Ohtani. Still, the Dodgers mustered just one run, falling in the game 2-1, as Ohtani took the loss.

At the plate, Ohtani is not hitting well, like much of the offense. The reigning NL MVP is hitting just .240 with a .382 OBP. He has six home runs and 14 RBIs with 23 runs scored this year. He is also in a hitting slump. The slugger has not had a hit in his last five games, going 0-17 with six walks and four strikeouts.

Ohtani is likely to return to the plate when the Dodgers finish their three game series with the Astros on Wednesday.

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