Dodgers to bench Shohei Ohtani for DH rest
PUBLISHED May 12, 2026, 11:41 PM ET
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Los Angeles. The Los Angeles Dodgers will give Shohei Ohtani a scheduled break from designated-hitter duties this week, benching him for Thursday’s game and removing him as the DH when he starts Wednesday, manager Dave Roberts said after Tuesday night’s 6-2 loss to the San Francisco Giants in which Ohtani hit a solo home run. Los Angeles responded with a lineup change and short-term rest plans this week; the Dodgers have lost four games in a row, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto allowed three home runs in Tuesday’s defeat. Roberts said Ohtani could still be available as a pinch hitter on Thursday and will focus on pitching Wednesday with follow-up evaluation expected Friday.
By Emily Rhodes | JQJO News
Timeline of Events
- Ohtani endured an extended homerless stretch, tying his longest as a Dodger.
- Tuesday night: Dodgers lost 6-2 to the San Francisco Giants; Ohtani hit a solo home run and finished 2-for-4.
- Yoshinobu Yamamoto allowed three home runs in the same Tuesday start, contributing to the loss.
- Manager Dave Roberts announced Ohtani would be removed from DH duties in upcoming games to provide rest.
- Team planned to evaluate Ohtani's pitching and hitting availability across Wednesday, Thursday and in subsequent starts.
News Intelligence
- If you're a Dodgers fan, Ohtani's rest might affect the team's performance. His absence from the DH role could impact the Dodgers' scoring potential. Keep an eye on Wednesday's game to see how the team adjusts.
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The Dodgers and Shohei Ohtani stand to benefit from scheduled rest intended to reduce fatigue, protect his pitching performance and give him a short window to refocus on hitting without the full DH workload.
The Dodgers' offense and immediate win-loss standing suffered as the team produced limited offense in recent games, including a 6-2 loss to the San Francisco Giants that extended a losing stretch.
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