He has come back after two years.
Shohei Ohtani is scheduled to return to pitching for the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday night against the San Diego Padres, nearly two years after undergoing elbow surgery. This outing marks his first time on the mound since August 2023, when he was injured while pitching for the Los Angeles Angels. Ohtani is expected to serve as an opener and may only pitch an inning, as the team cautiously reintroduces him to live game action. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts mentioned that Ohtani has shown readiness and eagerness to return, having completed various simulated games and bullpen sessions in preparation.
Ohtani, who signed a $700 million, 10-year contract with the Dodgers, paused pitching earlier in the season to focus on his hitting performance. Since then, he has posted impressive offensive numbers, leading the National League in OPS and hitting over .290 with 25 home runs. This return to pitching adds another layer to his already dominant presence in the Dodgers’ lineup, and both the team and fans are eager to see him take the mound again.
While Ohtani’s return is generating excitement, the Dodgers are simultaneously dealing with significant setbacks in their pitching rotation. Roki Sasaki, a rookie right-hander from Japan, has been sidelined with a shoulder injury and is not expected to contribute further this season. Other key pitchers like Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow are also dealing with injuries, forcing the team to rely on bullpen games to manage their pitching duties.
Sasaki, who joined from Japan’s Chiba Lotte Marines, has had a rocky start in Major League Baseball, with reduced fastball velocity and a higher ERA than expected. After briefly resuming throwing, he was shut down again due to shoulder discomfort. Although he received a cortisone injection, no new scans are planned, and the team is taking a cautious approach, choosing not to push him until he feels strong enough to ramp up again.
Overall, while the Dodgers face rotation challenges, Ohtani’s return to the mound brings renewed energy and hope. His two-way ability remains a unique and valuable asset, and the organization is taking careful steps to reintegrate him as both a pitcher and hitter. As the season progresses, how the Dodgers manage their pitching health—including Ohtani’s—could play a pivotal role in their success.
