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Shohei Ohtani Pitches but Doesn't Bat for First Time Since 2021. He's Still Sore From a Hit-by-Pitch

Shohei Ohtani was kept out of the batting lineup for the Los Angeles Dodgers Wednesday start against the New York Mets, marking his first time solely pitching in an MLB game since 2021.
Manager Dave Roberts made the decision two days after Ohtani took a 94 mph sinker to his right shoulder on Monday, saying it "gives him the best chance to stay loose" during his start.
Backup catcher Dalton Rushing replaced Ohtani at designated hitter, while the two-way star has gone 0-for-7 at the plate since being struck by a pitch from Mets pitcher David Peterson on Monday.
Roberts confirmed pinch-hitting is not an option for Ohtani on Wednesday, prioritizing his pitching focus after Ohtani was initially unaware of the lineup change but "completely understood" once informed.
The Dodgers play their next four games at mile-high altitude in Denver, and Roberts hinted the team may adjust Ohtani's lineup position on future pitching days to balance his two-way workload and recovery.

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Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani starts on the mound but not as DH

Ohtani was hit in the back of the right shoulder by a pitch during Monday’s game. As a precaution, the Dodgers decided not to have him in the lineup as a hitter for his scheduled start as a pitcher against the Mets.

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