LOS ANGELES — Shohei Ohtani will make his long-awaited return to the mound Monday when he starts for the Los Angeles Dodgers against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium.
BREAKING: Shohei Ohtani will start on Monday against the Padres.
— Fredo Cervantes (@FredoCervantes) June 16, 2025
The Day has finally arrived. @SportingTrib
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed the news Sunday, saying Ohtani is expected to pitch one or two innings in what will be his first Major League outing as a pitcher since Aug. 23, 2023. The two-way star underwent elbow surgery that September and has served solely as a designated hitter since joining the Dodgers this season.
“He’s ready,” Roberts said. “It’ll be a short outing, but it’s another step forward in his progression.”
Ohtani, who signed a record-setting $700 million contract with Los Angeles in the offseason, has been dominant at the plate, but his return to pitching gives a significant boost to a Dodgers rotation that has been hampered by injuries. Roki Sasaki, Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow are all currently on the injured list.
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Los Angeles Dodgers Shohei Ohtani (17) throws live batting practice prior to the game against the New York Yankees at Dodger Stadium.
Ohtani threw 44 pitches across three innings in a recent simulated game. The Dodgers plan to gradually increase his workload as the season progresses.
“Even if it’s just an inning or two, it helps,” Roberts said. “Having Shohei back on the mound gives us a big lift.”
The 30-year-old Japanese superstar won the AL MVP award in 2021 and 2023 as a member of the Los Angeles Angels, thanks to his unprecedented ability to dominate both at the plate and on the mound.
After signing Ohtani in December 2023, the Dodgers were aware that he would not be available to pitch in the 2024 season. Despite Ohtani’s absence from the pitching roster last season, the Dodgers successfully won the World Series, even with a depleted pitching staff.
Currently, the pitching staff faces a similar need for pitching. Roberts mentioned on Sunday that Roki Sasaki's return to the mound this season is a genuine possibility.
Since joining the Angels in 2018, Ohtani has made 86 starts, achieving an overall record of 38 wins and 19 losses with a 3.01 ERA. His best season as a pitcher was in 2022, when he started 28 games, finishing with a record of 15-9 and an impressive 2.33 ERA. During that season, Ohtani also recorded a career-high 219 strikeouts and pitched a career-high 166 innings.
The Dodgers are facing a unique situation as they prepare to work with a two-way superstar in his second season with the team. Roberts, along with every baseball fan, has been eagerly anticipating this moment, as Ohtani will once again pitch and hit in the same game.
“Shohei is getting antsy,” Roberts said. He’s ready to pitch in a big-league game. My guess an inning to start.”
Ohtani spoke after the game on Saturday night and responded to a question about the possibility of him pitching before the All-Star break. His interesting response led me to believe that it might happen sooner than expected.
Shohei Ohtani was asked if he might pitch before the All-Star break, and he turned the question around 😅
— Fredo Cervantes (@FredoCervantes) June 15, 2025
There's a real possibility that Ohtani will pitch before the All-Star break. @SportingTrib | #Dodgers pic.twitter.com/4kzkv0LppS
After 21 months away from Major League pitching, Ohtani will start, likely pitching only one inning while also serving as the designated hitter in the lineup. Ohtani, 30, is batting .297 with 25 home runs and 41 runs batted in this season.
First pitch Monday is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. PDT.