Shohei Ohtani once again redefined what is possible in the MLB as in a landmark moment on Monday, June 16, the superstar made his long-awaited return to pitching while also hitting leadoff for the Los Angeles Dodgers, setting a new stat in the process.
Los Angeles defeated the San Diego Padres 6-3 at Dodger Stadium, but the real story was Ohtani’s historic dual-role appearance-a feat that hadn’t occurred in the National League for over seven decades.
According to MLB.com, the talented Japanese player became the first player in the National League to start a game as both pitcher and leadoff hitter since 1953, and only the third player to do so since 1900.
The only others to accomplish this were Jim Jones of the New York Giants during the dead-ball era and Alvin Dark, also of the Giants, who did it in the post-war years – meaning Ohtani is the first to do it for the Dodgers in over 125 years.
That comes after he had not pitched in over 600 days due to a torn UCL, leading to his second elbow reconstruction following the 2023 season.
He signed a groundbreaking deal with the Dodgers in the offseason, and although he began his Los Angeles tenure exclusively as a designated hitter, fans and analysts alike anticipated his eventual return to the mound.
Ohtani rocky on return to pitching
The Dodgers, battling a string of injuries to their pitching staff, used Ohtani as an opener in what was effectively a bullpen game as he allowed one earned run on two hits, walked none, and struck out none in his limited outing.
His performance on the mound was brief but symbolic and most important for simply getting him back out there in the National League West clash, with results expected when he gets up to speed.
Shohei’s first batter faced, Fernando Tatis Jr., reached base with a single. A wild pitch then allowed Tatis to advance, and he eventually scored on a sacrifice fly by Manny Machado. Far from ideal.
However, offensively, Ohtani drove in two RBIs, including one in the third inning to get the Dodgers on the scoreboard. He then added another in the fourth inning during a five-run surge that turned the game decisively in Los Angeles’s favor.
His plate presence continues to be elite and offset his pitching outing, and it played a crucial role in the team’s victory as they keep command of the NL West ahead of the San Francisco Giants, who are second.
“Well, first of all, I’m very grateful to all the staff members,” Ohtani said to SportsNet LA. “People who’ve supported me throughout this whole process.
“I’m very grateful that I’m back healthy and pitching again. Not quite happy with the results. But there was a lot that I was able to take away from today’s outing and today’s game.
“It was a great team win, offensively. And the bullpen did a great job of holding on to the win.”
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