Dave Roberts Isn’t Worried About Shohei Ohtani’s Slow Offensive Start for Dodgers
Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani is off to a relatively slow start in 2024, at least for his standards.
The two-time unanimous MVP is slashing .267/.303/.367 with a .670 OPS, the sixth-best on the Dodgers.
He’s yet to hit a home run after hitting an American League-best 44 dingers in 2023 despite playing in only 135 games.
Ohtani underwent surgery to repair his torn UCL this offseason, and had to recover from an oblique injury that ended his season.
He also changed teams after a wild free agency, announced he got married and is caught in the middle of a gambling scandal involving his now former interpreter and best friend, Ippei Mizuhara.
Ohtani has gone through a lot over the last few months, which is one of the many reasons his manager, Dave Roberts, isn’t worried about the somewhat slow start through seven games.
“He’s just so talented,” Roberts said. “The hits, the slug, all that stuff will happen… the most important thing is that he’s healthy and seeing the baseball well.”
Via LA Times
Ohtani made it clear over the weekend that he’s feeling good and “seeing the ball well.” He just said something is a little off with his timing and the distance between himself and the ball.
Even without Ohtani living up to his full potential, the Dodgers’ lineup has been on fire to start the season, scoring 47 runs in their seven games and five wins.
Once Ohtani gets going — and it feels like a matter of “when,” not “if” — this already loaded lineup will be even scarier for opposing pitchers.
Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
