Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani is facing one of his biggest slumps at the plate in recent history. Throughout his career in Major League Baseball, Ohtani has been an incredible force on the mound and in the box. However, he has not had a hit in his last 17 at-bats.
The four-time MVP’s last hit came in a ninth-inning RBI double against the Miami Marlins on April 27. This was his third base knock of the game, as he went 3-for-5 in the Dodgers’ comeback victory.
Since then, it has been nothing but zeroes in the hit column for Ohtani, as he has gone five straight games without one, excluding the last time he pitched, in which he did not bat.
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His slump continued against the Houston Astros on Monday, as he reached base twice via walks and drove in a run but was unable to garner a base hit.
After the game, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts announced that Ohtani will not be the team’s designated hitter on Tuesday when he starts on the mound.
“Dave Roberts said pregame he was gonna have Shohei Ohtani DH during his pitching start tomorrow But after tonight’s game, he said they’re gonna change course and just have Ohtani pitch Ohtani had a couple walks tonight, but went hitless again and is 0-for-17 in last 5 games,” said California Post reporter Jack Harris.
Dave Roberts said pregame he was gonna have Shohei Ohtani DH during his pitching start tomorrow
But after tonight’s game, he said they’re gonna change course and just have Ohtani pitch
Ohtani had a couple walks tonight, but went hitless again and is 0-for-17 in last 5 games— Jack Harris (@ByJackHarris) May 5, 2026
This will be the second consecutive start Ohtani has made where he has been solely a pitcher and the third time overall this season where he’s taken the mound but not the batter’s box.
Roberts and Los Angeles hope that Ohtani focusing only on pitching on Tuesday will help clear his mind during this slump at the dish.
First pitch between the Dodgers and Astros on Tuesday at Daikin Park is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. ET and can be seen nationally on TBS.
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