Yes. Shohei Ohtani does hit in games when he pitches, thanks to a specific MLB rule change often called the “Ohtani Rule,” which lets him both pitch and stay in the lineup as a hitter.

Quick Scoop

  • Under the current MLB rules, a starting pitcher who is also his team’s designated hitter can remain in the game as a hitter even after he is removed from the mound.
  • This was effectively designed around Ohtani’s unique two-way role, allowing him to pitch and hit in the same game without his team losing the DH if he stops pitching.
  • With the Dodgers, when he is healthy enough to pitch, he can be in the lineup as a hitter (usually as DH) on the same day he takes the mound.

How It Works In Practice

  • Earlier in his career with the Angels, before the rule clarification, Ohtani did not always hit on days he pitched because teams risked awkward lineup situations once he left the mound.
  • With the rule in place, teams can start him as both pitcher and DH, then move to a reliever later while Ohtani continues batting, keeping his elite offensive production in the game.

Recent / “Latest News” Angle

  • When he returned to pitching with the Dodgers, he again appeared in games as both a pitcher and a hitter in the same contest, marking his first such two-way MLB appearance since August 2023.
  • These games continue the larger trend of Ohtani redefining roster strategy, with fans and analysts using his outings as benchmarks for how the modern two-way star can be handled under current rules.

TL;DR: Yes—under today’s rules, Ohtani can and does hit on days he pitches, usually by starting as both pitcher and designated hitter so he can stay in the lineup after leaving the mound.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.