Shohei Ohtani has not homered in his first 26 plate appearances this season, and discomfort in his right hand has drawn the manager's attention.

The Los Angeles Dodgers lost 1-4 to the Guardians at home today. Shohei Ohtani had no hits in three plate appearances, striking out twice and drawing one walk. Through the first six games of the new season, he has yet to produce a long hit and has shown signs of discomfort in his right hand. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said after the game that he would inquire with the medical staff about the specifics.

After opening the season with a three-game sweep of the Diamondbacks, the Dodgers went 1-2 against the Guardians and currently stand at 4-2, leading the NL West. They will begin their first road trip of the year tomorrow, first visiting Washington to face the Nationals and then traveling to Toronto to play the Blue Jays.

In six home games for the Dodgers, Shohei Ohtani has accumulated 26 plate appearances without a home run or RBI. In 18 at-bats, he has only three singles, struck out five times, and holds a batting average of .167. However, he has drawn seven walks, tying him with the Mets' Francisco Lindor and the Reds' Sal Stewart for the lead in the National League.

According to Japan's Nikkan Sports, Ohtani conducted outdoor batting practice before today's game, which is uncommon for him this season, surprising Roberts somewhat. Roberts suggested Ohtani might be observing the ball's flight path and his hitting feel, sometimes trying different approaches when his form isn't right.

Ohtani drew a walk in his first plate appearance in the first inning today, extending his streak of consecutive games reaching base to 37. However, in his subsequent three plate appearances, he struck out twice and also grounded into a double play. In the bottom of the eighth inning with runners on second and third, facing Guardians reliever Erik Sabrowski, who threw three consecutive curveballs for strikes, Ohtani swung and missed for the strikeout.

Nikkan Sports noted that after the strikeout, Ohtani made a somewhat concerned gesture and looked at his right hand. Roberts said, "I noticed it too, but I don't know the details yet. I'll check with his medical staff later."