The Los Angeles Dodgers have long anticipated the return of Shohei Ohtani to the pitching mound, exercising caution as the league’s only two-way star recovered from a second major surgery on his elbow. That wait has come to an end, as Ohtani has communicated to team management that he is prepared to pitch once again.
In an official announcement on Sunday night, the Dodgers confirmed Ohtani will start as the team’s opener on Monday against the San Diego Padres, marking his first pitching appearance for the franchise since undergoing a procedure in September 2023. While he is expected to pitch only one inning, this cautious approach is crucial for integrating his potent bat into the lineup.
“He’s ready to pitch in a major-league game,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts on Sunday. “He let us know that.”
Ohtani indicated that his pitches were game-ready on Saturday. “I felt like the intensity was there and my stuff was game-ready,” he stated, through interpreter Will Ireton.
The Dodgers have methodically monitored Ohtani’s rehabilitation over the past few months, gradually decreasing his workload during spring training as he recovered from a torn labrum in his left shoulder. He faced hitters for the first time on May 25, achieving speeds of up to 97 mph against Dodgers teammates and a hitting coach at Citi Field. In the weeks that followed, Ohtani quickly progressed, throwing 22 pitches, then 29, and finally 44 pitches in a three-inning session at Petco Park, where he showcased increased intensity, employing a PitchCom device and a pitch clock while striking out six batters.
Following that session, Roberts suggested that Ohtani’s return might come sooner than the post-All-Star break timeline previously discussed. When asked about a potential pre-All-Star return, Ohtani merely shrugged and replied, “Something like that.”
By Sunday morning, Roberts hinted that Ohtani could be ready to pitch after just one more simulated game. Following a 5-4 win against the Giants that evening, in which Ohtani reached base safely all four times as a designated hitter, the team officially shared the news on social media.
“The conversations, the confidence that he has, it’s time to go,” Roberts remarked.
The Dodgers benefit from the flexibility Ohtani provides as a two-way player. This designation allows the team to carry 14 active pitchers instead of the usual 13, enabling them to maintain their standard pitching roster while managing Ohtani’s gradual buildup in competitive games.
Anticipating Monday’s outing, Ohtani is expected to gradually increase his pitch count at a rate of approximately one inning per game until he is prepared for full starts. With 14 pitchers currently on the injured list, Ohtani’s return offers a significant boost to the Dodgers.
Moreover, the implementation of the “Ohtani rule” since 2022 allows him to remain in the lineup as a designated hitter post-pitching. Hence, a seamless transition should occur between his last pitch in the first inning and him stepping up to the plate to lead off the bottom half.
Seventeen months after signing a historic 10-year, $700 million contract, the Dodgers have been eager to witness Ohtani pitch for them. They have already benefitted from his remarkable abilities, with Ohtani winning three MVP awards and becoming the first player to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a single season. That season concluded with a World Series title.
Currently, Ohtani is enjoying another outstanding offensive season, leading the National League with 25 home runs and a 1.034 OPS. The prospect of seeing him pitch at full capacity is particularly thrilling.
“It’s very exciting,” Roberts said. “I think that for me, I’m still a baseball fan first. I really am. The anticipation here for the game is, man, it’s going to be bananas when it happens. There’s been a lot of anticipation. I think we’ve done it the right way as far as kind of our process. Communicating with Shohei and feeling good. So when it does happen, I think that it’s just, it’s great for the game. It’s good for our team. Our guys are excited about this potential. Most important, I’m excited for Shohei.”