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Shohei Ohtani pitching return: Highlights from Dodgers star's long-awaited start
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- Shohei Ohtani pitching return: Highlights from Dodgers star's long-awaited start
LOS ANGELES — Shohei Ohtani has taken the mound as a Los Angeles Dodger .
The three-time MVP made his pitching debut on Monday, June 16 , starting against the San Diego Padres in his first appearance as a pitcher since August 2023.
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It wasn't the prettiest outing, as he allowed one run after surrendering hits to the first two batters of the game and a sacrifice fly. The defense then made plays to get him out of the inning. It would be the only inning he'd pitch in front of an eager Dodger Stadium crowd.
Still, Ohtani was productive with the bat with two hits and two RBI as a five-run fourth inning propelled the Dodgers to a 6-3 win over their division rival.
Ohtani's first outing came to fruition quickly as he worked his way back to the mound. After he rehabbed his arm during his 2024 MVP season as he recovered from his torn ulnar collateral ligament he suffered with the Los Angeles Angels , Ohtani made progress with simulated games in recent weeks. The expectation was he'd pitch after the All-Star break in July, but the team opted to give Ohtani the early green light.
USA TODAY Sports had the highlights and more from Ohtani's 2025 pitching debut:
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Shohei Ohtani pitches one inning
LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers pitching debut for Ohtani lasts one inning.
After giving up consecutive singles to Fernando Tatis Jr. and Luis Arraez , Manny Machado hits a sacrifice fly out of the zone to give San Diego an early lead. The defense then helped Ohtani as Gavin Sheets grounded out to second base and Xander Bogaerts grounded out to third base to end the inning.
Ohtani threw 28 pitches for 16 strikes. His fastball and sinker were hovering around 98 mph with the sweeper around 89 mph. He touched 100 mph once in the frame as he gave up one run on two hits.
Anthony Banda comes in for Los Angeles in the second inning to end Ohtani's night on the mound.
Shohei Ohtani has multi-RBI night
Runs given up by Ohtani? One. Runs scored by Ohtani? Two.
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The Dodgers star seems to be well at the plate as he knocked it in his second RBI of the night in the fourth inning, with a single bringing in Andy Pages . It was part of a five-run inning for Los Angeles to take a 6-2 lead.
Shohei Ohtani gets RBI, off the hook
He gives up one run, he gets one right back.
Ohtani prevented him from possibly getting the loss with a RBI double in the third inning to score Andy Pages. It makes it a 1-1 game and Ohtani will get the no decision for pitching.
Shohei Ohtani strikes out
Ohtani stays in the leadoff position after coming off the mound. He strikes out swinging to Padres pitcher Dylan Cease.
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Manny Machado hits sacrifice fly
Ohtani nearly strikes out Machado on a checked swing. Machado hits an out to center fielder Andy Pages and Fernando Tatis tags up and just gets to home before Will Smith gets the tag to give San Diego a 1-0 lead.
Luis Arraez singles
Back-to-back hits off Ohtani to put runners on the corners with no outs.
Shohei Ohtani gives up hit to Fernando Tatis Jr. in first at bat
After fouling off the first pitch of the game, Ohtani gets to a full count but Tatis hits a single to shallow center field. He then takes second on a wild pitch.
Watch: Shohei Ohtani first pitch as Dodger
Shohei Ohtani takes the mound
The two-way star takes the mound for his first pitching start as a Dodger.
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How to watch Dodgers vs Padres
The San Diego Padres travel to Dodger Stadium to face off against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday night.
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Date: Monday, June 16
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Time: 10:10 p.m. ET
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TV: MLB Network
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Location: Dodger Stadium (Los Angeles)
How many innings will Shohei Ohtani pitch?
LOS ANGELES — The expectation pregame was that Ohtani would pitch one inning on Monday, and he's not on a pitch count. Roberts said he expects extra adrenaline, but his focus will be on Ohtani's command, delivery and stress to determine how long he goes.
The day will also serve as a starting point for how he feels after outings, and they will talk about his pitching duties on a day-by-day basis.
While the plan is to get him stretched out as a starter by the time October rolls around, Roberts doesn't expect Ohtani to pitch every five days. The Dodgers skipper thought about moving him off the leadoff spot, but Ohtani said he has no issues with coming straight off the mound and into the batter's box.
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"We'll see how it responds, and we're still gathering information. I think that going forward, it'll be helpful to what decisions we have" Roberts said.
Dodgers lineup today vs. Padres
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Shohei Ohtani (L) P
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Mookie Betts (R) SS
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Freddie Freeman (L) 1B
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Teoscar Hernández (R) RF
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Will Smith (R) C
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Max Muncy (L) 3B
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Andy Pages (R) CF
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Michael Conforto (L) LF
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Tommy Edman (S) 2B
Padres lineup today vs. Dodgers
Pitcher: RH Dylan Cease – 2-5, 4.28 ERA, 96 SO
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Fernando Tatis Jr. (R) RF
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Luis Arraez (L) 1B
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Manny Machado (R) 3B
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Gavin Sheets (L) LF
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Xander Bogaerts (R) SS
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Jake Cronenworth (L) 2B
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Trenton Brooks (L) DH
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Tyler Wade (L) CF
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Martín Maldonado (R) C
Shohei Ohtani pitching stats
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2018: 4-2, 3.31 ERA and 63 strikeouts in 51 ⅔ innings pitched
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2019: Did not pitch (injury)
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2020: 0-1, 37.80 ERA and three strikeouts in 1 ⅔ innings pitched
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2021: 9-2 with 3.18 ERA and 156 strikeouts in 130.1 innings pitched
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2022: 15-9 with 2.33 ERA and 219 strikeouts in 166 innings pitched
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2023: 10-5 with 3.14 ERA and 167 strikeouts in 132 innings pitched
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2024: Did not pitch (injury)
When did Shohei Ohtani last pitch?
Ohtani hasn't pitched since Aug. 23, 2023. As a member of the Los Angeles Angels , Ohtani pitched 1.1 innings against the Cincinnati Reds with one walk and two strikeouts before he left the game with injury. He ended up needing surgery for a torn ulnar collateral ligament, which has prevented him from pitching since then.
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How many Tommy John surgeries has Shohei Ohtani had?
Ohtani has had two Tommy John surgeries in his career. He had his first one in October 2018 at the end of his rookie season, and in September of 2023 in his final season with the Angels.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Shohei Ohtani pitching return: Dodgers vs. Padres highlights, stats
