Shohei Ohtani was the starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday night but he was held out of the lineup as designated hitter. It’s the first time since May 28, 2021 with the Los Angeles Angels that Ohtani has not been in the batting lineup during a mound start. Ohtani is still sore from being struck on the back of his right shoulder by a pitch from the New York Mets’ David Peterson on Monday. Manager Dave Roberts says Ohtani has felt progressively better. But the training staff, coaches and Roberts felt it was better for him not to hit.