Dodgers Make Surprising Decision on Struggling Shohei Ohtani

The reigning National League MVP, Shohei Ohtani, will be batting lower than second in the lineup for the first time since joining the Los Angeles Dodgers

by Michael Sakuraba

Oct 6, 2026

Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers

Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Dodgers are not messing around after dropping Game 2 of the NLDS to the Atlanta Braves on Sunday. With the offense struggling to score runs against Atlanta’s pitchers, the Dodgers have decided to shuffle the lineup, landing reigning MVP Shohei Ohtani in an unfamiliar spot.

For the first time since he joined the Dodgers in 2024, Ohtani will be batting fifth in the lineup on Tuesday night. Not only is it the lowest Ohtani has ever hit in the Dodgers’ lineup, but it is also the lowest he has been slotted since the 2020 MLB season, dating back to his time with the Los Angeles Angels.

The move is more of an indictment of how much Ohtani has struggled since returning from the IL on September 23. Since then, Ohtani is 7-for-29, with just one extra-base hit, no home runs, and a single RBI. In Game 2, Ohtani was 1-for-4 with two strikeouts and a 53 percent chase rate.

Ohtani has struggled with injuries this year, specifically to his right biceps and left knee. As a result, Ohtani has not pitched since July 3, although the injuries are clearly affecting him at the plate as well. The superstar was limited to 135 games this year, slashing .275/.377/.512, with 30 home runs and 81 RBI. It is the first time since 2022 that Ohtani has had a regular-season OPS lower than 1.014.

Another aspect of the drop in the order comes from Ohtani’s historical performance against Chris Sale. This shouldn’t come as a surprise since most of baseball has struggled against the dominant southpaw, but Ohtani has mustered just three hits in 15 at-bats against Sale, with no home runs and five strikeouts.

The Dodgers have chosen to stack the top of the lineup with right-handed batters, starting with Mookie Betts leading off, and Teoscar Hernandez and Will Smith batting third and fourth, respectively. Freddie Freeman will remain in his usual spot batting second behind Betts.