Shohei Ohtani’s long-awaited return to pitching has come to a halt.
It was his first start for the Los Angeles Dodgers, and since elbow surgery in 2023. Manager Dave Roberts has seen it coming, but couldn’t help but be amazed watching the two-way star take the mound for the first time in Dodgers blue.
“To watch this guy start and then take an at-bat, this is bananas,” Roberts said, per The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya.
Ohtani performed well against the San Diego Padres lineup Monday despite shaking off the rust. He allowed a run in the opening frame, but his performance quickly evened out. He threw 28 pitches with an average fastball velocity of 96.8 mph, a strong showing given his long layoff.
The only blemish for Ohtani was a sacrifice fly by Manny Machado, but beyond that, he kept the Padres’ lineup largely in check during his inning.
Dodgers Could Get Used To This
At the plate, Ohtani was equally impressive. He went 2-for-4, delivering a crucial double that tied the game in the third inning and a key single that drove in a run during a game-changing five-run fourth inning.
The Dodgers’ bullpen took it from there, with Ben Casparius earning the win and Kirby Yates closing out the game for a 6-3 victory.
His generational combination of pitching and hitting made for a historic night, becoming only the third player since 1900 to pitch and lead off in a National League game.
Ohtani’s first season in Los Angeles was spectacular. He earned his third MVP award, hitting 54 homers, while stealing 59 bases in 2024.
Ohtani Regains Command Of National League
While sidelined as a pitcher, Ohtani hasn’t slowed down offensively. He currently leads the National League with 25 home runs and boasts an impressive 1.039 OPS.
With no shortage of entertainment, Ohtani’s pitching comeback ahead of the All-Star break adds a unique strategic element to the Dodgers’ lineup. The team effectively carries an extra pitcher on their roster without sacrificing offensive firepower.
This flexibility gives the Dodgers an edge in the tightly contested NL West, where the team sits comfortably in first place at 44-29.
There’s still concern over whether or not this level of production can continue long-term. For now, each time Ohtani is at the plate or on the hill is going to be must-watch TV. That much is true.
The Dodgers’ investment and patience in the 10-year, $700 million star appear to be paying off. And the timing couldn’t be better as they push for another World Series title in 2025.
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