Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts spoke about the team’s plan for Shohei Ohtani’s hitting availability on days when he pitches.
Ohtani is a complete phenomenon as a player, able to hit and pitch at an elite level. The Dodgers get to see him do both for a full season in 2026, as long as he stays healthy throughout the season.
Los Angeles got a good taste of his abilities in 2025, but he did not step on the mound until halfway through the season. Even when he did pitch, his outings were short as he built himself up.
During the 2026 preseason, Ohtani has been fully healthy for the first time as a Dodger, starting the year on a good note with bullpen sessions and batting practice.
Ohtani has made some appearances in Spring Training, both as a hitter and pitcher. He has one start heading into Tuesday, when he will make his second appearance, a final tuneup before the season starts.
He pitched 4.1 innings, totaling four strikeouts, and his command looked sharp right off the bat.
Ohtani is aiming to win a Cy Young Award, and this season, with a ton of MLB experience, he is more poised than ever to achieve it.
Given his focus on pitching, Roberts was asked whether Ohtani would be hitting on days when he pitches, and the manager seemed to adopt a wait-and-see approach, with the plan for him to hit and pitch on the same day to start.
“I know that he really loves to hit. And so, I think until we see or learn otherwise, you know, if it’s compromised at all, if ever, then I think we’ll just kind of move forward,” Roberts said.
Ohtani’s season-long outlook
The Dodgers are planning for Ohtani to pitch all year long, avoiding any rest or breaks in terms of making starts, hoping to give himself enough running to get a real chance at a Cy Young award.
“I think his desire is high to do that. I think it’s realistic,” Roberts said.
“It’s very realistic to do that with the idea that there are times to give him a little extra rest in between starts. And so I don’t think anyone knows how that’s going to look.
“But I think it’s safe to say that it’s not a situation where every sixth day, every seventh day he pitches.”
