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Shohei Ohtani Set to Make Pitching Debut for Dodgers After 17-Month Hiatus
Shohei Ohtani, one of baseball’s most extraordinary talents, is preparing for his first pitching appearance with the Los Angeles Dodgers—more than 17 months after signing a historic 10-year, $700 million contract with the franchise. While the two-way star dazzled at the plate in his debut season with the Dodgers, helping them secure their eighth World Series title, he was sidelined from pitching duties due to an elbow injury.
Ohtani last pitched on August 23, 2023, in a game for the Los Angeles Angels against Cincinnati, where he suffered the injury that ultimately required right elbow surgery on September 19, 2023. This came after previously undergoing Tommy John surgery on October 1, 2018. Despite his absence from the mound, Ohtani captured the National League MVP in 2024 and played a pivotal role in the Dodgers’ championship run.
The Dodgers, who have been plagued by injuries to their pitching staff—including key names like Tyler Glasnow, Blake Snell, and Roki Sasaki—are now set to gain a much-needed boost. Since Ohtani already occupies a roster spot as the team’s designated hitter, the club will not need to adjust its roster to accommodate his return to the rotation.
After pausing his mound work in February to focus on his role as a hitter, Ohtani gradually resumed throwing, beginning bullpen sessions in late March and facing live batters in May. His return to pitching is expected to be gradual, with limited innings at first, but his presence alone adds significant depth to a depleted staff.
Offensively, Ohtani has continued to showcase his MVP-caliber abilities. Batting .290 with 25 home runs, 41 RBIs, and 11 stolen bases from the leadoff spot, he currently leads the National League in home runs. His elite production at the plate has not slowed while recovering from surgery, and now, with his return to the mound, the Dodgers are poised to unleash the full potential of their two-way phenom.
As Ohtani steps onto the rubber once again, it marks not just a significant milestone for his career, but a strategic game-changer for the Dodgers in their pursuit of another title run.
