In his Los Angeles Dodgers pitching debut against the San Diego Padres on Monday night, 21 months after the two-way star underwent elbow surgery, Shohei Ohtani allowed two two-strike hits and a run. Fans held on to every pitch that Ohtani delivered in the first inning, which included 28 pitches (16 for strikes).
They cheered when a fastball, the second-hardest pitch thrown by a Dodgers pitcher this season, was recorded at 100.2 mph. Ohtani was sweating through the excitement, adrenaline, and Southern California heat. He warmed up to his go-to song, “Feeling Good,” by Michael Bublé.
After his Los Angeles pitching debut, fans are wondering what’s next for Shotime.
Shohei Ohtani Hopes To Pitch Deeper in Upcoming Games
After the game, Ohtani answered a bunch of questions from the media, including about his future pitching plans. In a video uploaded by Dodgers Nation on YouTube, Ohtani said, “I did hit a 100 today, so I wanna see first where my body feels and how it reacts.
“The expectation for me is to go once a week, hopefully, to be able to go a little longer every time I’m out there so that the bullpen won’t be so taxed.”
Ohtani hit a double to left-center in the third inning to level the score at one after striking out swinging against Padres starter Dylan Cease.
MORE: Shohei Ohtani Reacts to Dodgers Pitching Debut
In the first, Ohtani faced Xander Bogaerts, Gavin Sheets, Manny Machado, Luis Arráez, and Fernando Tatis Jr. On Ohtani’s wild pitch, Tatis advanced to second after he flared a single to center field. Tatis scored on Machado’s sacrifice fly after Arráez’s hit. Bogaerts and Sheets quickly on the ground out.
As expected, Ohtani was done on the mound after one inning and 28 pitches. In the second, Anthony Banda took his place.
About three weeks after facing hitters in simulated at-bats for the first time, the Japanese right-hander was throwing in a major league game. Ohtani continued to be a member of the NL West leaders’ lineup and wielded his formidable bat throughout.
Even while Ohtani won’t be throwing hard in games right away, his presence on the mound should help a staff that has been severely damaged by injury. The Dodgers have six relievers on the injured list and eight starters, including Japanese sensation Roki Sasaki, Blake Snell, and Tyler Glasnow.
Los Angeles effectively added an extra pitcher without having to make a matching roster move since Ohtani is already listed as the designated hitter.
In the first season of a seven hundred million dollar, ten-year contract, Ohtani helped the Dodgers win their eighth World Series, and his first as well. He won the National League’s inaugural MVP award (his third overall and first in the NL).
He last pitched with the Los Angeles Angels in 2023. In 23 starts that season, he went 10-5 with a 3.14 ERA and 167 strikeouts. On August 23, 2023, he made his final appearance on the mound after suffering an injury during a game against the Cincinnati Reds.
On October 1, 2018, Ohtani underwent Tommy John surgery. He is now recuperating from a second major procedure on his right elbow on September 19, 2023. His major league career saw him enter Monday with a 38-19 record as a pitcher, made possible by a 3.01 ERA and 608 strikeouts in 481 2/3 innings.