On the night of Monday, June 16, 2025, it was a very special moment for Shohei Ohtani, who had to wait more than 663 days to return to pitch in an official MLB game. It was his first appearance on the mound since August 2023. This long-awaited return did not go as expected. The two-way phenomenon struggled in his first inning of 28 pitches against the San Diego Padres, after receiving two hits and allowing one run. It is worth mentioning that Ohtani was expected to pitch up to two innings, but only participated in one.
However, the reigning champions earned a 6-3 victory over the Padres in a true fiesta at Dodger Stadium after the Japanese pitcher’s official debut in the Los Angeles jersey in his second season. He struck out no one and walked no one. His top speed reached 99.7 mph. But his control, which had previously been spectacular, seemed to falter this time. Naturally, the Padres took full advantage.
Dave Roberts discusses Shohei Ohtani’s return as a pitcher
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts did his best to get Ohtani back on the mound. However, on this singular night, he pointed out his crucial mistakes after the game
At first, I thought the slider, like in San Diego, was touched at knee height. The fastball was going 100 mph at the top of the zone and then, the second time around, it started to miss a little bit.
His pitches lost the precision they were looking for. With the Padres’ second batter, Luis Arraez, in the batter’s box, Ohtani threw his fastest pitch of the game at 100.2 mph. He also threw fastballs that reached 99.1 mph.
On Ohtani pitching once a week, Dave Roberts said: “I think that’s the plan. So we’re talking every six to eight days, something like that. And you know, we’ll see how he is and if next time he throws an inning or two; I don’t know yet. It’s a read and react situation”. Ohtani is coming off two major injuries and, although he has regained his other half of greatness, the Dodgers will not rush him.
The Los Angeles Dodgers’ bullpen will have to be modified with the arrival of Shohei Ohtani
It is also uncertain who will replace Ohtani in the bullpen when he pitches. Dave Roberts has yet to define the role of relievers for when the Japanese makes his appearances on the mound. For Ohtani’s short outings, the Dodgers will need to define the structure of the pitching rotation. His debut as a pitcher after such a long time made Roberts evaluate the mistakes and the next steps. Well, not even Ohtani was proud of his performance.
Just after the first inning, Shohei Ohtani somehow managed to contribute to the Dodgers as both a pitcher and a hitter. While he had some pitching mishaps, it was his first step back to being a full-time two-way phenomenon. Even at the plate, he drove in two runs that helped the Dodgers increase their odds of victory.
He admitted after the game that he was not at all satisfied with his pitching
“I’m not entirely happy with the overall results”
, he said.
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