The Los Angeles Dodgers currently hold a 43-29 record, leading the NL West division by two games over the San Francisco Giants. In their last 10 contests, the Dodgers went 6-4, including a 5-4 win against the Giants on Sunday night. According to MLB insiders, Shohei Ohtani is set to pitch for the Dodgers against the San Diego Padres on Monday. This marks Ohtani’s first MLB pitching appearance in 22 months and his debut start for the Dodgers.
Shohei Ohtani, who has been recovering for 21 months following a second surgery on his ulnar collateral ligament, has been undergoing a long rehabilitation to return to pitching form. The 30-year-old had a stellar maiden season with the Dodgers last year, becoming the first full-time designated hitter to win the MVP award and making history as the only player with 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season.
Ohtani’s postseason run concluded with a World Series win, but he faced complications with torn lips on his non-throwing shoulder that required surgery, slowing down his rehab schedule. He resumed pitching in March and has worked diligently to earn his starting spot with the Dodgers. Manager Dave Roberts confirmed that Ohtani is ready for Monday’s start against the Padres, with ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez noting Ohtani might only pitch one or two innings as part of his comeback. This outing is a significant step in Ohtani’s journey toward fully reclaiming his role as a full-time starting pitcher.
Fan Take: Shohei Ohtani’s return to the mound is monumental for baseball fans everywhere, as his unique talents bring an electrifying dynamic to the game. Watching a three-time MVP recover and potentially dominate once again could redefine what’s possible for two-way players and inspire a new generation of athletes.
