IN THE WAKE of his first Tommy John surgery, during the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season, Ohtani struggled mightily while resuming a two-way role. One of his current sliders, Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior said, has been thrown with more downward movement to complement a splitter he still doesn't have great feel for. In a one-inning start, Ohtani reached his optimal fastball velocity with ease. Roberts has noticed "more edge" on the days when Ohtani starts, saying he "transforms into a different type of person." But Ohtani is only a .222 hitter on his start days, going 8-for-36 with 17 strikeouts.