Inside The Dodgers

Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani Falls Asleep in Dugout During Blowout vs Yankees

Gabe Smallson|
May 31, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) singles in the fifth inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
May 31, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) singles in the fifth inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

In this story:

Los Angeles Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers walloped the New York Yankees, 18-2, on Saturday in the second game of the World Series rematch.

After the Dodgers were off to a 10-0 lead after just two frames, it was pretty clear where this game was going. At one point during the bludgeoning, three-time MVP Shohei Ohtani was caught falling asleep in the dugout.

More news: Dodgers Get Brutal Grade on $182 Million All-Star Signing

To be fair, Ohtani had had quite the day.

Ohtani was throwing just his second live batting practice in about two calendar years a few short hours before the blowout victory.

Most sluggers who ever step foot in an MLB ballpark likely won't experience having to throw a simulated inning and still go 2-for-4 as a designated hitter a few hours later, but that is just a testament to Ohtani's greatness. Although a dugout isn't the most ideal place for a nap, perhaps Ohtani needed the rest.

The two innings and 29 pitches for Ohtani was a slight increase from last week, and instead of Hyeseong Kim, Dalton Rushing, and a Dodgers performance coach, the three-time MVP was up against two minor league players as well as Rushing.

More news: Former Dodgers World Series Champion Reliever Released by MLB's Worst Team

Ohtani spoke last week on his first live batting practice and the plan to ramp up the hitting talent during his sessions.

“I’m going to do live BPs once a week moving forward,” he said. “On the road, I’m sure it’s going to be a little bit difficult to get quality hitters to stand in at times, but at home I should be able to get good minor-league hitters to stand in.”

Although it may be enticing to get Ohtani back on the mound amid the constant pitching injuries for the Dodgers, the main goal is to have Ohtani's best pitching capabilities in October.

If the process feels like it's painstakingly slow, a lot of it is by design. To protect the hitting talent that Ohtani brings to the plate everyday, while hoping to get the most out of his arm, the progressions will continue to slowly build up.

More news: Dodgers' Plan for Top Prospect at Trade Deadline Revealed by Insider

For more Dodgers news, head over to Dodgers on SI.

Published
Gabe Smallson
GABE SMALLSON

Gabe Smallson is a sportswriter based in Los Angeles. His focus is sports and entertainment content. Gabe has previously worked at DodgersNation and Newsweek. He graduated from San Francisco State University in 2020 and is a Masters Candidate at the University of Southern California. You can get in touch with Gabe by emailing gabe.smallson@lasportsreport.com. You can find him on X @gabesmallson

Home/News