Dodgers’ Dave Roberts Makes a Rare Call on Shohei Ohtani’s Two-Way Role vs. Rays

Every five days, the Los Angeles Dodgers face the same high-stakes calculus: How much of Shohei Ohtani is too much? Ohtani is back to dominating on the mound and hitting like an MVP candidate, but the team’s decision on Wednesday sent a clear message about their long-term approach.

Ohtani is scheduled to start on the mound against the Tampa Bay Rays in the series finale. But manager Dave Roberts confirmed Tuesday night that Ohtani will not serve as the designated hitter for that game, according to Katie Woo of The Athletic. That means Ohtani will hit for himself only if he’s still in the lineup when his turn comes up—but not as an everyday bat.

A Calculated Rest for a Unique Talent

The Dodgers are walking a careful line. Ohtani has already proven he can pitch and hit in the same game at an elite level. But the organization isn’t willing to push that limit every fifth day. After Ohtani threw 6.2 innings against the Pittsburgh Pirates last week—going 1-for-5 at the plate in a 9-8 loss—the team saw enough. That outing followed a June 3 start against the Arizona Diamondbacks, where Ohtani went 3-for-4 with two RBIs while tossing six scoreless innings. Both were dual-role games.

But the Dodgers are now prioritizing sustainability over spectacle. “He’s our best player, and we have to be smart,” Roberts said, as reported by Woo. “It’s not about what he can do. It’s about what he should do over 162 games.”

What This Means for Ohtani’s Season

The decision isn’t a vote of no confidence. It’s a strategy born from experience. Ohtani’s 2023 season was cut short by an elbow injury, and the Dodgers invested $700 million in him this offseason. Every pitch and every at-bat now carries a premium. By limiting his offensive workload on days he starts, Los Angeles hopes to keep him on the mound deep into October.

The Rays present a tough test, but the bigger story is how the Dodgers manage one of the most valuable arms and bats in baseball. For now, the rotation gets a slight break—and Ohtani gets a rare day off from the batter’s box while still commanding center stage on the rubber.

The new normal in L.A. is a team that treats its two-way star with kid gloves, even when the temptation to unleash him fully is greatest.