4 MLB Stars Struggle Out of the Gate in 2026 Season

Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani, Josh Naylor, and Julio Rodríguez all get off to slow starts

Apr. 1, 2026 at 1:06am

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The 2026 Major League Baseball season is underway, and several star players have found themselves in an early slump. Yankees slugger Aaron Judge, Dodgers two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani, Mariners first baseman Josh Naylor, and Mariners outfielder Julio Rodríguez have all struggled mightily in the first week of the season, with low batting averages, lack of power, and high strikeout rates.

Why it matters

These players are among the biggest names and most valuable assets in the sport, so their early-season struggles are noteworthy and could have significant impacts on their teams' performances if the slumps continue. Fans and analysts will be closely watching to see if these stars can turn things around quickly.

The details

Aaron Judge has hit two home runs but is batting just .188 with a .798 OPS, well below his usual production. Shohei Ohtani has yet to hit a home run or drive in a run, batting .167 with a .578 OPS. Josh Naylor is 0-for-19 to start the season, while Julio Rodríguez is 1-for-19 with a .234 OPS.

  • The 2026 MLB season is about one week old.

The players

Aaron Judge

A star outfielder for the New York Yankees who hit 62 home runs in 2022.

Shohei Ohtani

A two-way player for the Los Angeles Dodgers, serving as both a starting pitcher and power hitter.

Josh Naylor

A first baseman for the Seattle Mariners who made the All-Star team in 2025.

Julio Rodríguez

An outfielder for the Seattle Mariners who won the AL MVP award in 2025.

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The takeaway

These early-season struggles from some of baseball's biggest stars serve as a reminder that even the game's elite players can go through slumps, and that it's important not to overreact to small sample sizes. Fans and analysts will be closely monitoring these players to see if they can turn things around in the coming weeks and months.