The Los Angeles Dodgers are tweaking how they deploy Shohei Ohtani, and the latest adjustment comes at the plate, not on the mound.

While Ohtani is set to start on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium against the Miami Marlins, he will not be in the lineup as a designated hitter, signaling a situational shift rather than a constant change.

Manager Dave Roberts is balancing more than just one game. The Dodgers are deep into a stretch of consecutive games without an off-day, forcing the club to think more carefully about recovery and workload.

Ohtani, who typically benefits from extra rest between outings, will be pitching on a slightly shorter turnaround this time, adding another layer to the decision.

Despite the altered routine, there’s little concern about his effectiveness on the mound. Ohtani has been dominant in his starts this season, establishing himself as a stabilizing force in the rotation.

His ability to control games as a pitcher has given the Dodgers confidence to lean into that strength, even if it means temporarily sacrificing his presence in the batting order.

Offensively, the timing of the decision is notable. Ohtani has begun to show signs of heating up, putting together stronger at-bats after a relatively slow start by his standards.

Still, his production has dipped in games where he’s handled both pitching and hitting duties, offering another reason for the Dodgers to separate those responsibilities in certain situations.

There are also roster dynamics at play. With Ohtani focused solely on pitching, Los Angeles can turn to other options at designated hitter, including Dalton Rushing, who has impressed in limited action.

His emergence provides a viable alternative and softens the blow of removing Ohtani’s bat from the lineup.

Of course, the downside is clear. Without Ohtani hitting, the Dodgers lose the ability to deploy him later in the game once he leaves the mound.

It’s a trade-off that limits in-game flexibility, but one the team appears willing to accept given the circumstances.

In many ways, this decision reflects the realities of managing a unique player over a long season. Rather than forcing the full two-way workload every outing, the Dodgers are picking their spots.

For now, that means letting Ohtani focus on what he’s done best early in the year, dominating on the mound, while ensuring he remains fresh for the challenges ahead.

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