Shohei Ohtani made his much-anticipated return to pitching on Monday night, taking the mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers in a game against the San Diego Padres. This outing marked his first pitching appearance since undergoing surgery for a second tear in his ulnar collateral ligament last year. Ohtani’s excitement was palpable as he pitched in front of a sold-out crowd at Dodger Stadium, where the adrenaline led him to exceed his expected fastball speed, touching 100.2 mph at one point.
Despite the intensity of his performance, the inning was not without its challenges. Ohtani threw 28 pitches, allowing two hits and one run, which came from a sacrifice fly after a controversial missed strikeout call. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts emphasized the need to be cautious with Ohtani’s return, admitting he would have preferred a more measured approach to fastball speeds.
In addition to his pitching duties, Ohtani also contributed offensively, going 2-for-4 at the plate, driving in crucial runs despite striking out twice. His ability to perform effectively both on the mound and as a designated hitter highlights his unique talent as a two-way player, a role he excelled in prior to his injuries.
Ohtani’s journey back is being closely monitored, with plans for him to pitch every six to eight days, gradually building his innings. The team is optimistic about his potential, as general manager Brandon Gomes expressed confidence in Ohtani’s readiness to return to form as a two-way performer.
The response from the crowd and his teammates was overwhelmingly positive, with third baseman Max Muncy praising Ohtani’s ability to surprise and amaze. Ohtani himself acknowledged that while he wasn’t completely satisfied with the results of his outing, he felt good enough to prepare for his next start.
Overall, this marks a hopeful new chapter for Ohtani and the Dodgers, as they aim to harness his exceptional skills on both the pitching mound and in the batter’s box, reinvigorating their lineup and igniting fan enthusiasm as he looks to reclaim his status as one of baseball’s premier talents.