Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani held an unscheduled outdoor batting practice session on Saturday, launching an estimated 160‑meter (525‑foot) home run that cleared the right‑center field fence as part of a 17‑home run, 52‑swing workout.

Dodgers hitting coach Robert Van Scoyoc told reporters before the game that Ohtani had requested the session after Friday’s game. “He really wanted to hit after yesterday. It was good to see—hard line drives to all fields. The ideal is for him to hit more naturally, without forcing it,” Van Scoyoc said.

Ohtani’s powerful display included three homers on 10 swings in his second round, four in the third, and a final towering blast that sailed beyond the right-field wall. He added three in the fourth round, two in the fifth, and five in the sixth, totaling 17 home runs across 52 swings. Manager Dave Roberts and front-office executives watched intently as the slugger tried to break out of a slump.

Before batting practice, Ohtani threw 23 pitches in the bullpen, continuing his demanding two‑way routine. This marked only his second outdoor BP session before a game since opening day—the first came on April 1 against the Guardians, when he hit 22 home runs in 55 swings. Van Scoyoc noted a change in sequencing: “In Houston he did BP before the bullpen and felt a little tired, so this time we did it after the bullpen. He wanted to check his swing path and timing while making adjustments.”

Ohtani entered the game as the leadoff hitter and designated hitter against the San Francisco Giants, facing right‑hander T. McDonald (1‑for‑3 with a hit and a strikeout in his career). He was looking for his seventh home run of the season—his first since April 26 against the Cubs, a drought of 11 games. Mookie Betts returned to the lineup as the No. 2 hitter and shortstop.

In Friday’s 4‑hit outing against the Atlanta Braves, Ohtani went 0‑for‑4, extending his homerless streak to 46 consecutive plate appearances with only one home run over his last 21 games. Roberts had analyzed the issue earlier: “He’s being beaten by fastballs. On belt‑high pitches where he normally drives the ball to all fields, he’s slightly late and hitting under the ball—showing a clear swing lag.” Ohtani entered May batting just .129 (4‑for‑31).