Shohei Ohtani's remarkable two-way season has hit a rare rough patch, and the Los Angeles Dodgers are carefully managing their superstar's workload to help him rediscover his groove.

According to manager Dave Roberts, Ohtani will not take the plate in one of the final two games against the San Francisco Giants this week. The decision hinges on whether to give him a mental break on Thursday or rest his bat on Wednesday, when he's scheduled to pitch. "One of those days he's not going to hit, I haven't decided," Roberts said Monday night. "But on top of that, given what we're asking of him on the pitching side, it's a fair question."

This marks a delicate balancing act for the Dodgers, as Ohtani returns to full two-way duty for the first time since 2023. He has played in all 41 games this season, but has already skipped hitting in three of his six pitching starts, including his last two outings on the mound. The wear and tear of being both a top-tier pitcher and hitter is beginning to show.

Ohtani's power stroke has gone cold in a big way. Since his last home run on April 26 against the Chicago Cubs—which ended a 59-plate-appearance drought—he has gone 51 more plate appearances and 13 full games without another long ball. That's his second-longest power slump since joining the Dodgers. Over that stretch, he's managed just seven hits in 43 at-bats, hitting a meager .163/.294/.209 with seven walks and 12 strikeouts.

His season numbers have taken a hit as a result, dropping to .233/.363/.404 with a 114 wRC+. More concerning is his isolated power (.171), which sits a staggering 75 points lower than any of his previous five seasons. "Even early on when he wasn't hitting, he was still taking walks and getting on base," Roberts noted. "Tonight was a classic example, I think he's just trying to swing out of it, that's just so apparent. A lot of hitters, when they're scuffling, they want to swing out of it, and tonight was one of those nights."

For fans and fantasy owners alike, this slump is a reminder that even the game's most electrifying talent needs a reset now and then. As Ohtani works through this rough stretch, the Dodgers are wisely prioritizing his long-term health and performance over short-term results.