Baseball fans are about to witness a rare sight: Shohei Ohtani, the modern-day Babe Ruth, is taking the mound tonight as a pitcher only. For the first time in five years, the Los Angeles Dodgers superstar will focus solely on his pitching duties against the New York Mets, stepping away from his usual dual-threat role.

This marks a significant shift. Since joining the Dodgers, Ohtani has been a constant force in the lineup, primarily as a designated hitter. Tonight, however, his name is absent from the batting order. Kyle Tucker will lead off, with Freddie Freeman moving up, as Ohtani concentrates on extending his remarkable start to the season on the mound.

The last time Ohtani started a game purely as a pitcher was back in May 2021 with the Angels, a time before the special "Ohtani Rule" was implemented. That rule allows a two-way player to stay in the game as the DH after being pulled as a pitcher. Tonight, once his pitching outing is over, his night is done.

This strategic move comes just two days after Ohtani was hit by a pitch on the shoulder. While manager Dave Roberts stated the soreness wasn't the primary reason for keeping him out of the lineup, it highlights the immense physical toll of being a two-way player. Roberts explained the setup is designed to give Ohtani "the best chance to stay loose during the outing," streamlining his between-inning routine.

The decision also follows recent debates about the extra time Ohtani requires to warm up between innings when hitting and pitching, a reminder of the unique logistical challenges he masters. On the mound, he's been virtually untouchable this season, entering tonight's game as the only qualifying starting pitcher yet to allow an earned run. Tonight, freed from batting duties, all eyes will be on whether he can continue his dominant pitching streak in this specialized role.