The Los Angeles Dodgers are gearing up for a thrilling night as Shohei Ohtani prepares to make his pitching debut for the team on Monday, June 16, 2025, against the San Diego Padres. This marks a significant milestone for Ohtani, who has been sidelined from pitching since August 2023 due to a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) that required Tommy John surgery. Nearly two years after his surgery, the Dodgers are finally set to witness the full spectrum of Ohtani's two-way talents on the mound once again.
Ohtani, 30, signed a record-breaking 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers following the 2023 season, a deal that underscored his rare ability to excel both as a hitter and a pitcher. Since joining the Dodgers, he has been primarily playing as a designated hitter while recovering and gradually rebuilding his arm strength. The announcement of his pitching return has been eagerly anticipated by fans and the baseball community alike.
Manager Dave Roberts confirmed the news on Sunday, June 15, 2025, shortly after the Dodgers’ 5-4 win over the San Francisco Giants. Roberts said, "He's ready to pitch in a major-league game. He let us know that." This statement came after Ohtani threw 44 pitches in a simulated game earlier that week, showcasing his readiness to take the mound in a live MLB setting. Ohtani himself expressed confidence, stating through his interpreter, "I felt like the intensity was there and my stuff was game-ready."
The Dodgers have been cautious in their approach to Ohtani's return, initially projecting a post-All-Star break comeback. However, his rapid progress in bullpen sessions and simulated games accelerated that timeline. Since May 25, 2025, when Ohtani first faced hitters and touched 97 mph, he has steadily increased his workload, progressing from 22 pitches to 44 pitches in recent outings. On June 10, during a three-inning session at Petco Park, he recorded six strikeouts against young pitchers from the Dodgers’ spring complex, further bolstering confidence in his pitching readiness.
Monday’s game will see Ohtani serve as the Dodgers’ opener, expected to pitch just one inning as part of a carefully managed buildup. This approach is rather unprecedented but necessary, allowing him to contribute on the mound without compromising his valuable role as a designated hitter. The "Ohtani rule," implemented in 2022, permits him to remain in the lineup as a hitter even after pitching, enabling a seamless transition from the mound to the batter’s box within the same inning.
Ohtani’s pitching resume is impressive. In his best season as a starter in 2022 with the Los Angeles Angels, he threw 166 innings with a 2.33 ERA, striking out 219 batters while walking just 44. That year, he finished fourth in Cy Young voting. In 2023, his last pitching season before surgery, he posted a 10-5 record with a 3.14 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, and 167 strikeouts over 132 innings. Overall, Ohtani boasts a career 3.01 ERA and 608 strikeouts in 481 2/3 innings pitched.
On the offensive side, Ohtani continues to dazzle. In 2024, he set the Dodgers’ single-season home run record and became the first player in MLB history to achieve 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in the same season. This year, he is pacing the National League with 25 home runs and boasts a .297 batting average, a .385 on-base percentage, and a .638 slugging percentage, combining for an impressive 1.034 OPS. Additionally, he has contributed 41 RBIs, 71 runs scored, and 11 stolen bases, solidifying his status as a formidable two-way threat.
The Dodgers are currently grappling with a pitching injury crisis, with eight starters and six relievers on the injured list. Ohtani’s return to the mound provides a much-needed boost to their depleted staff. Moreover, because he is listed as a two-way player, the Dodgers benefit from an expanded pitching roster, effectively gaining an extra arm without sacrificing a roster spot. This unique flexibility allows Ohtani to simultaneously rehab his pitching while maintaining his offensive presence.
Manager Dave Roberts expressed excitement about Ohtani’s impending return, saying, "It’s very exciting. I think that for me, I’m still a baseball fan first. I really am. The anticipation here for the game is, man, it’s going to be bananas when it happens. There’s been a lot of anticipation. I think we’ve done it the right way as far as kind of our process. Communicating with Shohei and feeling good. So when it does happen, I think that it’s just, it’s great for the game. It’s good for our team. Our guys are excited about this potential. Most important, I’m excited for Shohei."
Ohtani’s return to pitching represents a rare and thrilling chapter in baseball history. Few players have ever been able to impact the game so profoundly on both sides of the ball, and the Dodgers are now poised to showcase the full extent of his extraordinary talents. Fans will be watching closely as Ohtani takes the mound for the first time in a Dodgers uniform, nearly 20 months after his surgery and 664 days since his last pitching appearance.
Monday’s matchup against the Padres promises to be a landmark event, not just for the Dodgers but for the sport itself. As Ohtani steps onto the mound, the baseball world will witness the next phase of a remarkable career that continues to redefine what is possible in Major League Baseball.
