After a rough 0-for-17 slump over his last five games, the Los Angeles Dodgers are making a strategic adjustment to help superstar Shohei Ohtani get back on track. Manager Dave Roberts initially planned to have Ohtani both pitch and serve as the designated hitter in Tuesday's game against the Houston Astros, but has now decided to let him focus solely on pitching.

Every hitter goes through cold streaks, but Ohtani's situation is unique given his dual role as both a pitcher and a full-time batter. The physical and mental demands of excelling at both positions are immense, and sometimes a reset is necessary. In fact, one of his strongest pitching performances this season came when he was held out of the lineup as a hitter—striking out 10 batters over six innings against the New York Mets while allowing just one run.

"Dave Roberts said pregame he was gonna have Shohei Ohtani DH during his pitching start tomorrow. But after tonight's game, he said they're gonna change course and just have Ohtani pitch," Dodgers beat writer Jack Harris reported. "Ohtani had a couple walks tonight, but went hitless again and is 0-for-17 in last 5 games."

This decision could be exactly what Ohtani needs to break out of his hitting slump. Taking the mound without the pressure of also producing at the plate allows him to focus entirely on his pitching mechanics and game plan against a tough Astros lineup. Sometimes the best way to fix a cold bat is to step away from the batter's box for a day and let the mind reset.

For Dodgers fans, this is a reminder that even the game's most electrifying talents go through rough patches. The key is how they respond—and a focused Ohtani on the mound is always a dangerous sight for opposing hitters.