06/16/25 08:05:00
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06/16 20:04 CDT Shohei Ohtani to make his long-awaited return to the mound in
an abbreviated start for the Dodgers
Shohei Ohtani to make his long-awaited return to the mound in an abbreviated
start for the Dodgers
By BETH HARRIS
AP Sports Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) --- Shohei Ohtani is set to make his highly anticipated Los
Angeles Dodgers pitching debut, 643 days after the two-way superstar had elbow
surgery.
"He's ready, he's adamant, he feels good, strong, ready to pitch a major league
game," manager Dave Roberts said Monday. "I think everyone in that clubhouse, I
think the fans, media, we've been waiting for this moment."
Ohtani will start and pitch an inning or two and also bat leadoff as the
designated hitter against the San Diego Padres on Monday night in the series
opener. The first three batters he'll face are Fernando Tatis Jr., Luis Arrez
and Manny Machado.
"I think I got the best seat in the house to watch it and to watch this guy
start and then take an at-bat," Roberts said. "This is bananas. I'm thrilled."
Major League Baseball is making the game available for free on streaming site
MLB.tv.
The Japanese right-hander will be pitching in a big league game about three
weeks after facing hitters in simulated at-bats for the first time. All the
while, Ohtani was still wielding his powerful bat in the lineup for the NL West
leaders.
"It got to the point where, hey, it feels like we should take that next step
and almost look to finish the rehab at the major league level because of the
taxing nature of what he was doing," Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes said.
Typically, pitchers returning from injuries go on minor league rehab
assignments, but Ohtani is an exception.
"It's been really encouraging overall the way he's bounced back and been able
to continue to feel good doing both," Gomes said.
Roberts said: "You've got to hear the player and trust the player."
Roberts briefly considered not having Ohtani bat leadoff, but the slugger
assured his manager he was fine with it.
"It could change going forward," Roberts said, "but right now he feels very
comfortable with taking the mound and coming in the dugout and getting on his
stuff to go take an at-bat."
Gomes acknowledged the team is in a unique situation, trying to balance
Ohtani's offensive prowess with his pitching ability while erring on the side
of caution.
"We don't know how he's going to come out, if his legs are going to be tired.
We have to make sure that we're also keeping one of our best hitters in the
lineup," Gomes said. "It has to be an ongoing conversation and making sure that
Shohei is the one driving this conversation."
The three-time MVP is batting .290 with 25 homers, which leads the National
League, 41 RBIs and 11 stolen bases in the leadoff spot.
While Ohtani won't be throwing deep into the game, just his presence on the
mound figures to bolster a staff that has been decimated by injuries. The
Dodgers have eight starters, including Tyler Glasnow, Blake Snell and Japanese
phenom Roki Sasaki, and six relievers on the injured list.
Roberts said he and the coaches will be watching Ohtani's command, delivery,
and ability to repeat his mechanics.
"Like he always does, he's going to give everything he has and we expect a
high-quality outing," Gomes said.
Ohtani is already on the roster as the designated hitter, so the Dodgers are
essentially adding an extra pitcher without having to make a corresponding
roster move.
"It's not going to be a once-every-five-day situation, so there's going to be
plenty of time to recover," Roberts said. "We also have the luxury of pitching
him as much as we want as far as in a particular outing."
Ohtani helped the Dodgers win their eighth World Series title --- and his first
--- last season, the first of a $700 million, 10-year contract. He earned his
third MVP award and first in the National League.
He hasn't pitched since 2023 with the Los Angeles Angels. He was 10-5 with a
3.14 ERA and 167 strikeouts in 23 starts that season. His last mound appearance
was on Aug. 23, 2023, when he got hurt during an outing against Cincinnati.
Ohtani had Tommy John surgery on Oct. 1, 2018, and is recovering from a second
significant right elbow surgery on Sept. 19, 2023.
As a pitcher, Ohtani is 38-19 with a 3.01 ERA and 608 strikeouts in 481 2/3
innings during his major league career.
"The main goal is obviously to have him strong down the stretch run and through
October," Gomes said.
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