LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers have announced that Shohei Ohtani will take the mound as the starting pitcher on Monday night against the San Diego Padres. Ohtani returns to pitching nearly two years after undergoing elbow surgery. This news came after the Dodgers secured a 5-4 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Sunday night. It is anticipated that Ohtani will serve as an opener as the Dodgers, who currently lead the NL West, embark on a four-game series against the Padres at home.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts expressed enthusiasm, noting Ohtani’s eagerness to pitch again. “Shohei is getting antsy, which is a good thing for us,” Roberts shared prior to the official announcement of Ohtani’s starting role. While the exact number of innings Ohtani will pitch remains uncertain, Roberts speculated that it could be an inning to start. The Dodgers have completed their preparations, with practice sessions no longer needed. Ohtani is ready to make his mark on the mound once more.
Ohtani’s last pitching appearance dates back to August 23, 2023, during a game for the Los Angeles Angels against Cincinnati, where he sustained an injury. He underwent Tommy John surgery in October 2018 and recently recovered from a subsequent elbow procedure performed on September 19, 2023. In his second season under a significant $700 million, ten-year contract, Ohtani halted his pitching activities after a mound session on February 25 to focus on his role as a hitter for opening day. He resumed bullpen sessions in late March and started participating in batting practice by May.
Roberts expressed excitement about Ohtani returning to the pitcher’s mound. “There’s been a lot of anticipation,” he commented, adding that the careful planning and communication with Ohtani were reassuring. This development is beneficial for the Dodgers, and team members are enthusiastic about Ohtani’s potential contributions. Roberts conveyed his personal excitement for Ohtani’s return.
While Ohtani is a celebrated three-time MVP, his hitting stats this season are remarkable, boasting a .297 average, an NL-leading 1.035 OPS, 25 home runs, and 41 RBIs. Last year, solely as a batter for the Dodgers, he achieved a .290 average with 54 homers, 130 RBIs, and 59 stolen bases.
In a different context, Roberts discussed the likely lengthy absence of rookie right-hander Roki Sasaki due to a right shoulder impingement. Sasaki, together with Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow, both on the injured list with shoulder inflammation, means the Dodgers are leaning into bullpen games. Sasaki has been sidelined since May 9, and it’s unlikely he will be part of the team’s pitching strategy for the rest of the season.
Roberts underscored the challenges faced during Sasaki’s transition to the big leagues, alongside dealing with health issues as a starting pitcher. He suggested that focusing on recovery is the sensible approach. Sasaki, a 23-year-old former pitcher for Japan’s Chiba Lotte Marines, played eight games for the Dodgers, recording a 4.72 ERA. His performance averaged less than 4 1/3 innings per game, with 22 walks and 24 strikeouts over 34 1/3 innings.
Despite being free of pain when he began throwing again in early June, Sasaki recently experienced discomfort, leading to a cortisone injection in the shoulder. While no further scans are planned, Roberts emphasized the importance of allowing Sasaki to recover fully without rushing the process.