Since arriving from Japan, Shohei Ohtani has shattered every expectation—and that's saying something, considering he was already being compared to Babe Ruth. After six seasons with the Los Angeles Angels and two championships across town with the Dodgers, Ohtani has cemented his legacy as one of the greatest two-way players in MLB history.

But this season, there's a noticeable shift: Ohtani is no longer batting on nights he pitches. Here's why the Dodgers' superstar is stepping away from the plate when he takes the mound.

At 31 years old—turning 32 in July—the Dodgers are prioritizing injury prevention. Ohtani is pitching at arguably his highest level this season, and the team wants to protect that dominance for the long haul. By limiting his workload on game days, they're ensuring he stays fresh and healthy for the playoff push.

There's also a performance factor. As of May 4, Ohtani's hitting has cooled significantly. He's hitless in his last 17 at-bats (though he's drawn six walks), his OPS sits at .814 (54th among qualified hitters), and his batting average has dipped to .240 (103rd). While he still has six home runs, only one of those came after April 12.

Despite this, Ohtani remains a high-caliber performer—just not the same two-way force we've seen in previous years. The Dodgers are making a calculated move to maximize his impact where it matters most: on the mound.