Los Angeles, CA – The baseball world is buzzing with anticipation as Shohei Ohtani, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ two-way phenom, is officially slated to return to the pitcher’s mound on Monday night. He is set to make his long-awaited Dodgers pitching debut as the opener against the division-rival San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium.
This start marks a significant milestone: Ohtani’s first time pitching in a major league game in over 21 months, since suffering an elbow injury on August 23, 2023, while with the Los Angeles Angels. Following his second major elbow procedure – a right elbow surgery on September 19, 2023, building on his October 2018 Tommy John surgery – Ohtani has focused solely on hitting for the Dodgers until now.
The announcement, made after the Dodgers’ win Sunday night, confirms speculation that Ohtani’s pitching recovery had accelerated. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts noted Ohtani’s eagerness. “Shohei is getting antsy, which is a good thing for us,” Roberts said. “The live, simulated, or whatever, sort of ran its course. He’s ready to make his debut on the mound.”
Roberts anticipates Ohtani will serve as an “opener” for this first appearance, likely pitching for just one or two innings to ease back into game action.
A Road Back to the Mound
Ohtani’s journey back has been deliberate. After focusing on hitting for the start of the 2025 season, he resumed bullpen sessions in late March and began facing hitters in live batting practice settings starting in late May. A successful recent simulated outing at Petco Park, where he threw 44 pitches across three simulated innings with impressive command and strikeouts against minor league hitters, was a key indicator of his readiness.
Logistically, Ohtani’s status as a two-way player allows the Dodgers roster flexibility, enabling a “piggyback” starter to follow him. Sources close to the team also suggest that pitching and hitting on the same day might be easier on his body than the stop-and-start nature of simulated games followed by designated hitter duties.
The return is met with immense excitement, reflected even in ticket markets. Data from TickPick showed a nearly 174% increase in ticket prices for Monday’s game since the news broke, with the lowest “get-in” price jumping from $51 to $140, underscoring the magnitude of this event for fans.
Excelling Despite Absence from Pitching
Even without pitching, Ohtani has continued to showcase his extraordinary talent at the plate for the Dodgers. He’s currently batting .297 with an NL-leading 1.035 OPS, smashing 25 home runs and driving in 41 runs. In his first season with Los Angeles in 2024, playing only as a designated hitter, he put up MVP-caliber numbers, hitting .290 with 54 homers, 130 RBIs, and 59 stolen bases, even winning a World Series title.
Before his recent injury, Ohtani was an elite pitcher with a career 3.01 ERA, finishing fourth in AL Cy Young voting in 2022 after striking out 219 batters in 166 innings. His return, even in a limited capacity, brings that potential back into play for the Dodgers.
Pitching Staff Woes Provide Context
Ohtani’s return comes at a critical time for the Dodgers, who are battling a significant number of pitching injuries. Key arms like Blake Snell (left shoulder inflammation) and Tyler Glasnow (right shoulder inflammation) are currently on the injured list, among a total of 14 pitchers sidelined.
Adding to the staff’s challenges is the situation with rookie right-hander Roki Sasaki, who is also dealing with a right shoulder impingement. Sasaki, 23, hasn’t pitched since May 9 and is likely facing a lengthy absence, potentially not returning this season. Manager Dave Roberts indicated that planning for Sasaki’s absence is prudent given his transition to MLB, health issues, and the extensive buildup required for a starter’s return. Sasaki had posted a 1-1 record with a 4.72 ERA in his eight starts, averaging less than 4 1/3 innings per outing and showing a decrease in fastball velocity compared to his time in Japan before being shut down due to discomfort following a cortisone injection.
With the Dodgers relying more on bullpen games due to these injuries, Ohtani’s ability to take the mound, even for a brief outing, provides a welcome lift and adds another dimension as they kick off a crucial four-game series against the Padres in the heated NL West race.
