Dodgers' Dave Roberts Explains Decision to Hold Shohei Ohtani Out of Lineup During Pitching Starts

The Los Angeles Dodgers have one of the best weapons in baseball in Shohei Ohtani, but they know they can't work him too hard during the regular season.

After Ohtani started on the mound but was held out of the lineup against the Miami Marlins on Tuesday, manager Dave Roberts explained his rationale.

"His goal is to make every start, and so with that, there has to be some compromise and some openness to kind of read and react," Roberts told reporters. "So far, I think we're doing a nice job and he's open to that."

Ohtani made his fifth start on Tuesday, and he has not batted in two of those games. Getting a day off at the plate was likely welcomed by Ohtani since the Dodgers have played 12 consecutive games.

Los Angeles can also afford to be without Ohtani at the plate since it has started the season 20-9.

The four-time MVP came into Tuesday's contest with six home runs and 13 RBI while slashing .278/.398/.500. On the mound, he's recorded a 0.38 ERA and a 0.75 WHIP, picking up a 2-0 record with 25 strikeouts across 24 innings.