Baseball’s Unicorn Returns to the Mound: Shohei Ohtani Set for Dodgers Pitching Debut
Get ready, Los Angeles. More than a year after signing his historic contract, Shohei Ohtani is finally set to make his pitching debut for the Dodgers. Manager Dave Roberts announced on Sunday that the two-way superstar will take the mound to start Monday night’s game against the division-rival San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium.
This appearance marks a highly anticipated milestone, ending a 663-day drought since Ohtani last pitched in a Major League Baseball game back on August 23, 2023, while still with the Angels. Following that season, he underwent his second elbow surgery in September 2023, an injury that sidelined him from pitching for the entire 2024 season and the first part of 2025.
Why Now? An Accelerated Timeline
Ohtani’s return to pitching is arriving significantly earlier than initially anticipated. Offseason expectations often placed his return sometime after the All-Star break, potentially even in August. The decision to accelerate the timeline was influenced by several factors:
Successful Rehab Progression: A key step was his recent simulated outing last Tuesday in San Diego. Ohtani threw 44 pitches over three simulated innings, reportedly drawing “rave reviews” and demonstrating excellent command, including striking out six minor league hitters.
Ohtani’s Readiness and Desire: According to Roberts, Ohtani was “getting antsy” and felt “ready to pitch in a major league game.” Ohtani himself reportedly indicated his eagerness to return to the mound in a big league setting.
Efficiency of Use: Ohtani and the team realized that the effort involved in simulated games was taxing on his body, especially having to cool down and then prepare for his designated hitter duties. Pitching and hitting in the same MLB game was seen as a more efficient way to use his “bullets” and integrate his two-way responsibilities.
Team Need: The Dodgers’ pitching staff has been hit hard by a “brutal wave of injuries,” with as many as 14 pitchers recently on the injured list, including key starters like Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, Roki Sasaki, and Tony Gonsolin. Sasaki, in particular, is now expected to be out for the long term in 2025. Ohtani’s return, even in a limited capacity, provides much-needed depth.
Logistical Advantage: As a two-way player, Ohtani counts as an extra pitcher on the roster, offering flexibility for the team to utilize him as an opener followed by a piggyback starter like Ben Casparius, who was originally scheduled to start Monday.
The Rehab Journey and the Plan Ahead
Ohtani’s path back to the mound has been complex. After his second UCL surgery in September 2023, his throwing program faced a complication when he tore the labrum in his non-throwing left shoulder during Game 2 of the 2024 World Series. This meant spring training effectively became his offseason throwing program. He paused his progression briefly before the season-opening series in Japan but began a slow build-up upon returning to the U.S. He faced live hitters on May 25, May 31, and most recently on June 11, before deeming himself ready.
For his first appearance, Ohtani will serve as an “opener.” The plan is for him to pitch likely just one or two innings. This initial outing is being viewed somewhat as a continuation of his rehabilitation process within a game environment. Unlike typical pitchers returning from major surgery, Ohtani will not* undergo a minor league rehab assignment due to his immense value as the team’s regular designated hitter. Instead, the Dodgers will gradually increase his workload and innings count within major league games.
Crucially, thanks to the rule accommodating two-way players, Ohtani will remain in the game as the designated hitter after his pitching duties are complete, ensuring his bat remains in the lineup.
Impact on the Dodgers
While his initial appearances will be brief, Ohtani’s return to the mound is a significant boost for the Dodgers, particularly given their current pitching woes. Even just securing an inning or two from a pitcher of his caliber can help preserve a taxed bullpen. His presence also adds another layer to an already formidable roster, as he has continued to excel as a hitter this season, leading the National League with a 1.035 OPS and hitting 25 home runs through June 15.
Dodgers fans and the baseball world alike will be watching closely as “Baseball’s unicorn” steps back onto the big league mound, marking not just a return from injury, but the official pitching debut for his new team in what promises to be a “bananas atmosphere” at Dodger Stadium.
