MLB News: Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani will pitch for the first time since 2023

Shohei Ohtani is known as the best MLB player nowadays. Even in the G.O.A.T discussion, it’s his ability to play both offense and defense at the highest level that makes him a phenom. However, since signing for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Ohtani has been sidelined in the pitching department, but all that is coming to an end. The Japanese superstar will take the mound vs. San Diego Padres tonight.

Formerly at the Los Angeles Angels, Ohtani erupted in the big leagues as a unicorn. Pitchers don’t even attempt to bat most of the times, but Ohtani was a top-tier pitcher and a top-tier batter simultaneously. His last game pitched was 663 days ago, on August 23, 2023.

This means Ohtani has never pitched for the Dodgers, since he has only one season on the team. Not that the Dodgers would complain, as Ohtani won the National League MVP and delivered a championship for the team just with his batting prowess.

Even if it’s just a short appearance, having Ohtani pitching is something the Dodgers don’t necessarily need, but certainly like. By being a two-way player, Ohtani doesn’t count against the team’s 13 pitcher spots. This means he can have game experience without taking a relief pitcher’s place.

Mookie Betts #50 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates a two run home run during the sixth inning against the New York Mets during Game Four of the National League Championship Series at Citi Field on October 17, 2024 in New York City.

Ohtani was not the only injured star on the team

To say that the Dodgers roster is loaded would be an understatement. Having Ohtani, who is a top 3 MLB player of all time to some, they have a stacked team filled with unbelievable talent. Some of them have also battled through injuries. Shortstop Mookie Betts, for example, missed some action during the start of the season due to a stomachal virus, and then fractured his toe which made him miss four games.

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Clayton Kershaw had his first plate appearance in a while after recovering from knee and toe surgeries. Right-handed pitcher River Ryan will miss the rest of the 2025 season due to a Tommy John surgery, same injury that’s sidelining pitcher Kyle Hurt.

Despite injuries, the Dodgers are still a contender

Even if battling through gruesome injury adversity, the Dodgers find themselves being a top team on the diamond. Also, it’s a long season and 90 games are left before the playoffs. The defending champions are still winning games despite everything.

As of now, they sit first in the NL West. That’s no easy feat when you realize four of the five teams in the division hold a winning record. The Giants follow closely two games behind. The Padres are three behind and the D-Backs trail by 6.5 games.

Ohtani is pitching vs. the Padres, so it’s not an easy game. The projected performance of him is to pitch one or two innings. The Dodgers want to ease him in, they don’t need to force him.