Shohei Ohtani Returns to Pitching for Dodgers

Shohei Ohtani is set to make his first pitching appearance since August 23, 2023, as the Los Angeles Dodgers are scheduled to face the San Diego Padres on Monday night.

The Dodgers confirmed Ohtani’s return after he participated in a game against the San Francisco Giants, resulting in a 5-4 victory on Sunday night. Until now, Ohtani, previously with the Los Angeles Angels, had not pitched due to elbow surgeries, which sidelined him for about 21 months.

It looks like he will be the opener for the Dodgers. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts mentioned, “Shohei is feeling a bit uneasy, but this is good for us.” He added, “I’m not exactly sure if we’ll see one or two innings, but I think that’s likely. He’s been through live and simulated sessions, and he’s ready for his debut on the mound.”

Ohtani was expected to return to pitching after signing a massive 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers before the 2024 season. The organization wasn’t too concerned about accelerating his pitching return.

Ohtani started his bullpen sessions on March 29 and threw batting practice on May 25. As Roberts pointed out, “There were a lot of expectations. We communicated our process with Shohei, and we did it right until he felt ready. It’s a positive for our team; people are excited about it.”

He is a unique talent in the league, capable of both pitching and hitting. Ohtani has made 86 pitching appearances and recorded a 3.01 ERA while only pitching for the Angels.

Meanwhile, the Dodgers are facing several injuries within their rotation. Sasaki Roki will be out for an extended period due to a right shoulder collision, Blake Snell is sidelined with left shoulder inflammation, and Tyler Glasnow is also dealing with right shoulder inflammation.

For now, Ohtani is intended to provide some relief to the Dodgers’ pitching woes.