Shohei Ohtani has built a legendary career on defying expectations, but even the game's most electrifying talent isn't immune to a rough patch. Right now, the Dodgers' two-way superstar is navigating the deepest slump of his professional life—and manager Dave Roberts is stepping in to make a rare adjustment.

Over the past two weeks, Ohtani's production at the plate has fallen to levels he hasn't seen since 2022. According to ESPN's Alden Gonzales, Ohtani is 4-for-36 with no home runs since April 26, and his OPS has dipped to .777—a number that hasn't started with a 7 this late in the season in four years. For a player who routinely posts MVP-caliber numbers, this stretch is a genuine anomaly.

Roberts, ever the tactician, is planning to give Ohtani a full day off later this week. As reported by The Athletic's Fabian Ardaya, Ohtani will not hit on either Wednesday (when he's scheduled to pitch) or Thursday. That's significant: legitimate off days for Ohtani are almost unheard of. Typically, the only games he misses are when he's on the mound.

Just last weekend against the Houston Astros, Roberts initially planned to have Ohtani serve as the designated hitter during his pitching start. But after another hitless night—part of an 0-for-17 stretch over five games—the skipper changed course. As Dodgers beat writer Jack Harris noted, the team decided to let Ohtani focus solely on pitching, skipping his DH duties entirely.

Roberts is hoping that a mental reset—watching the game from the dugout rather than the batter's box—will help Ohtani rediscover his rhythm. It's a small but telling move from a manager who rarely needs to intervene with his superstar. For Ohtani, who has faced and conquered nearly every challenge baseball can throw at him, this slump is uncharted territory. Thursday looks like the most logical day for a breather, as he's not scheduled to pitch. Sometimes, the best way to get back on track is to step back and take a breath.