The Riverside Press-Enterprise
Roberts working with Ohtani on his strike zone discipline
Dave Roberts thinks Shohei Ohtani can be even better with more plate discipline with runners in scoring position.
The Dodgers manager approached the two-time AL MVP about a week ago to discuss how Ohtani could better control the strike zone.
“I thought he was expanding a little bit more than he needed to,” Roberts said Tuesday before a game against the Nationals in Washington. “So, I just wanted to have a conversation with him.”
Ohtani hit his 176th home run on Sunday, surpassing Hideki Matsui for the most in Major League Baseball among players born in Japan. Ohtani entered Tuesday night’s game leading the major leagues in batting average (.368), hits (35), doubles (11) and total bases (63).
“Any time he swings the bat he can change the game, and now being even more disciplined in the strike zone just makes him more scary,” Roberts said.
Roberts said he has noticed Ohtani getting comfortable in his surroundings, acclimating with his new teammates and coaches.
“He is doing a great job with everyone,” Roberts said. “The hitting coaches are kind of building a really good relationship and trust. I see him more (now). Before you sort of just see him when he gets in the batter’s box. So, he’s around a lot more, which is good thing too.”
Getting defensive
The Angels are trying to get Luis Rengifo out of his defensive slump.
Rengifo made errors in two of the Angels’ losses over the weekend in Cincinnati, and a third misplay was ruled a hit.
Last week against the Tampa Bay Rays, Rengifo failed to come up with a backhand play that could have been the final out of an Angels victory, and they ended up losing in 13 innings. That was a tough play that might not have been an out even if Rengifo had played it perfectly, but it was nonetheless part of a rough week.
“On the defensive side you lose your rhythm, just like you lose your rhythm at the plate,” said manager Ron Washington, who is considered MLB’S pre-eminent infield guru. “It just looks like his rhythm is off. He’s getting balls in between. That happens when you lose your rhythm. We’re coming out today and we’re going to try to get his rhythm back. He’s been very good until the last road trip.”
Rengifo did not start in Monday night’s 4-2 loss to Baltimore but drew a oneout walk as a pinch-hitter in the ninth.
The slump comes at an inopportune time because the Angels are now down one infielder with third baseman Anthony Rendon’s hamstring injury. Second baseman Brandon Drury has also been in out of the lineup in the last week because of a hamstring issue.
Washington said they don’t need Rengifo to be the everyday third baseman in Rendon’s absence because of Miguel Sanó’s emergence.
Sanó has not been known for his defense, but Washington has raved about the improvement he’s made since showing up as a non-roster invitee to spring training.
“I’ve been really impressed,” Washington said before Monday’s game. “If you guys have watched him out there, he’s shown that he’s a different guy. Sometimes perception can bury you. As hard as he worked in February in spring training, now he’s starting to show that he can carry it over. We’re going to give him that opportunity.”
• In Monday’s game,
Craig Kimbrel struck out Mike Trout looking with the bases loaded for the final out as the Orioles won for the seventh time in eight games, Jo Adell homered for the Angels, who lost their fifth in a row.
— Jeff Fletcher
Machado on leave
Manny Machado is missing the Padres’ four-game series against the Rockies in Denver to take on a new role -- becoming a father.
Machado’s wife, Yainee, was expected to give birth to the couple’s first child Monday.
As a result, Machado did not accompany the team to Colorado and is expected to be on the paternity list until the Padres return home on Friday.
Infielder Matthew Batten was recalled from Triple-a to take Machado’s spot on the roster during his paternity leave.
Batten, was up for two games before being optioned on Saturday. He hit tripled last Thursday in Milwaukee, going 1-for-3 in his only appearance this season.
Jurickson Profar was the designated hitter and batted cleanup in Machado’s place in Monday’s series opener. Jose Azocar started in left field.
“Literally, we’ll take it game by game,” manager Mike Shildt said of the DH spot. “It will be matchup based.”
The Padres won Monday night, 3-1, behind another strong start from righthander Dylan Cease, who gave up one hit, struck out eight, and allowed just that one baserunner in a seveninning 90-pitch outing.