Shohei Ohtani made a triumphant return to the mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday night, June 16, 2025, marking his first pitching appearance since 2023. In front of a packed Dodger Stadium, the two-way superstar dazzled fans with a fastball topping 100 mph and demonstrated why he remains one of baseball's most unique talents.
Ohtani's pitching stint was brief but impactful. He threw 28 pitches in the first inning, 16 of which were strikes, including a blazing fastball clocked at 100.2 mph — the second-hardest pitch by a Dodgers pitcher this season. Despite allowing two hits and one run, he escaped further trouble by retiring Gavin Sheets and Xander Bogaerts with groundouts. The lone run came after consecutive singles by Fernando Tatis Jr. and Luis Arráez, followed by a sacrifice fly from Manny Machado that brought Tatis home.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts expressed his excitement ahead of the game, saying, “I think I got the best seat in the house to watch it and to watch this guy start, and then take an at-bat. This is bananas. I’m thrilled.” Indeed, Ohtani’s return was a highly anticipated moment, coming 21 months after his latest elbow surgery and following a rigorous rehab process that included simulated at-bats just three weeks prior.
Ohtani himself acknowledged the nerves he felt on the mound, admitting, “Definitely a little bit more than when I was solely a position player.” Yet, his competitive fire shone through as he battled through the inning. After retiring Bogaerts for the third out, he didn’t retreat to the dugout but instead prepared to lead off the bottom half of the inning as the designated hitter.
At the plate, Ohtani continued to impress by going 2-for-4 with two RBIs, including a run-scoring double to left-center in the third inning that tied the game at 1-1, and a two-out RBI single in the fourth that helped extend the Dodgers’ lead to 5-2. He finished the night with a walk and two strikeouts, showcasing his all-around prowess.
Currently leading the National League with 25 home runs and boasting an OPS of 1.039, Ohtani has also scored the most runs in all of baseball this season with 73. His offensive contributions, combined with his pitching ability, make him a rare asset in today’s game.
Ohtani’s plan moving forward is to pitch once a week, with the goal of gradually increasing his innings to ease the burden on a Dodgers bullpen depleted by injuries. “The expectation is for me 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,” he explained. With 14 of the Dodgers’ pitchers currently on the injured list, every inning Ohtani can provide is invaluable.
Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes highlighted the unique challenge of managing Ohtani’s workload. “We don’t know how he’s going to come out, if his legs are going to be tired. We have to make sure that we’re also keeping one of our best hitters in the lineup,” Gomes said. “It has to be an ongoing conversation and making sure that Shohei is the one driving this conversation.”
Ohtani’s pitching debut also marked a significant milestone in his career. Since his major league debut, he has compiled a 38-19 record with a 3.01 ERA and 608 strikeouts over 481 2/3 innings. Despite undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2018 and a second major elbow operation in September 2023, he has bounced back impressively.
His last pitching appearance was on August 23, 2023, for the Los Angeles Angels, where he posted a 10-5 record with a 3.14 ERA and 167 strikeouts in 23 starts. Now with the Dodgers, Ohtani is looking to extend his pitching career while maintaining his offensive dominance.
Dodgers teammate Max Muncy praised Ohtani’s electric stuff but noted the challenges of returning after a long layoff without rehab games. “Stuff looked electric, but when you haven’t pitched in that long of a time and you don’t really get a chance to do any rehab games, maybe the command isn’t going to be there and that’s kind of what we saw tonight,” Muncy said.
Roberts echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the importance of monitoring Ohtani’s mechanics and stamina. “Like he always does, he’s going to give everything he has, and we expect a high-quality outing,” Gomes added.
Ohtani’s debut came on a day marked by personal challenges off the field as well. His former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, reported to federal prison in Pennsylvania after being sentenced for bank and tax fraud, having stolen nearly $17 million from Ohtani. Despite this, Ohtani remained focused on his comeback.
Reflecting on his journey, Ohtani expressed gratitude for the support he received throughout his recovery. “I’m just really grateful, reflecting back on all the support that I received from the doctors that operated on me, the support staff, the team and everybody who supported me along the way. I’m just grateful that, aside from the results, to be able to show and be grateful for the moment I had,” he said.
As the Dodgers continue their pursuit of another championship, Ohtani’s dual-threat capabilities offer a significant boost. Last season, he helped the Dodgers secure their eighth World Series title, earning his third MVP award and first in the National League. Now, with a $700 million, 10-year contract, the expectations are sky-high.
While Ohtani won’t be pitching deep into games immediately, his mere presence on the mound strengthens a pitching staff ravaged by injuries, including eight starters such as Tyler Glasnow, Blake Snell, and Roki Sasaki, along with six relievers sidelined.
Major League Baseball made Ohtani’s debut available for free on MLB.tv, allowing fans worldwide to witness the historic moment. The Dodgers, who already have Ohtani on the roster as the designated hitter, effectively gained an extra pitcher without the need for a roster move, providing strategic flexibility.
Looking ahead, the baseball world eagerly awaits Ohtani’s next outing. His ability to pitch once a week while continuing to contribute offensively could redefine how teams manage two-way players. As Ohtani said, “I want to see first where my body feels and how it reacts,” signaling a cautious but optimistic approach to his pitching comeback.
For now, Dodgers fans can savor the return of their two-way sensation, whose blend of power, speed, and pitching prowess continues to captivate and inspire.
