Ohtani Set to Start for Dodgers Against Padres

Shohei Ohtani is poised to take the mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday night, marking his return to pitching against the San Diego Padres. This comes 21 months post-elbow surgery, a significant milestone for the two-way star.

The announcement followed the Dodgers' narrow 5-4 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Sunday night. Ohtani is expected to serve as an opener as the NL West leaders embark on a four-game series against the Padres.

"Shohei is getting antsy, which is a good thing for us," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts remarked prior to the official announcement. The anticipation surrounding Ohtani's return has been palpable within the team.

Roberts elaborated, "I don't know if it's going to be one or two innings, but my guess is probably an inning to start. But it's a good thing. The live, simulated, or whatever, sort of ran its course. He's ready to make his debut on the mound." Ohtani last pitched in a game on August 23, 2023, when he sustained an injury while playing for the Los Angeles Angels against Cincinnati.

After undergoing Tommy John surgery on October 1, 2018, Ohtani has been on a recovery path since his right elbow surgery on September 19, 2023. Currently in the second year of a $700 million, 10-year contract, he shifted focus from pitching to hitting in preparation for opening day, resuming bullpen sessions by March 29 and batting practice by May 25.

Roberts expressed enthusiasm about Ohtani's return to pitching in a major league game. "There's been a lot of anticipation," he stated. "I think we've done it the right way as far as our process, communicating with Shohei and feeling good. ... It's good for our team. Our guys are excited about this potential. And obviously, most important, I'm excited for Shohei."

Ohtani's performance this season has been impressive; he boasts a .297 batting average with an NL-leading 1.035 OPS, alongside 25 home runs and 41 RBIs. Last year, during his first season with the Dodgers, he hit .290 with 54 homers, 130 RBIs, and 59 stolen bases.

In a related note, Roberts indicated that rookie right-hander Roki Sasaki is likely facing an extended absence due to injury. With Sasaki (right shoulder impingement), Blake Snell (left shoulder inflammation), and Tyler Glasnow (right shoulder inflammation) currently on the injured list, the Dodgers have had to rely on bullpen games.

Sasaki has not pitched since May 9 and is not included in the team's long-term pitching strategy this season. "I think that's what the mindset should be," Roberts commented before the game. "Being thrust into this environment certainly was a big undertaking for him, and now you layer in the health part and the fact he's a starting pitcher, knowing what the build-up (required to return) entails... I think that's the prudent way to go about it."

The 23-year-old Sasaki recorded a 1-1 record with a 4.72 ERA across eight starts after joining the Dodgers from Japan's Chiba Lotte Marines, averaging less than 4 1/3 innings per outing. He walked 22 batters and struck out 24 in 34 1/3 innings while averaging a fastball speed of 95.7 mph—down by 3-4 mph compared to his performance in Japan.

Roberts noted that Sasaki felt no pain when he resumed throwing in early June but was shut down after experiencing discomfort recently. Following a cortisone injection in his shoulder, no further scans are currently planned. "I don't think it's pain," Roberts clarified. "I don't know if it's discomfort, if it's tightness, if he's just not feeling strong, whatever the adjective you want to use. That's more of a question for Roki, as far as the sensation he's feeling."

"He's just not feeling like he can ramp it up, and we're not going to push him to do something he doesn't feel good about right now."