Introduction to Shohei Ohtani’s Pitching Debut
Background on Ohtani’s Career
The long-anticipated wait is over — Shohei Ohtani is ready to pitch. The Dodgers announced after Sunday’s 5-4 win over the Giants that Ohtani will make his Dodgers pitching debut Monday against the San Diego Padres. He will start, but there’s a chance he will be an opener, only pitching one inning.
Road to Recovery
For Ohtani, it’s been a long road back to pitching. He signed with the Dodgers on a 10-year, $700-million contract before the 2024 season — a value representing not just his MVP-level bat, but his potential Cy Young Award-level pitching. He underwent Tommy John surgery in September 2023, only hitting in his first season with the Dodgers. He tallied unprecedented numbers at the plate (.310 batting average, league-high 54 home runs, 130 RBI and 59 stolen bases). In recent weeks, Ohtani ramped up his throwing program, facing live hitters a handful of times.
Past Performance
Ohtani had been brilliant for the Angels, going 38-19 with a 3.01 earned-run average over 86 starts since coming over from Japan before the 2018 season. In 2022, Ohtani posted his best pitching numbers in the majors, with a 15-9 record, a 2.33 earned-run average and 219 strikeouts over 166 innings en route to placing fourth in AL Cy Young Award voting.
Expectations for the Debut
It’ll likely be an incremental start for Ohtani as he looks to add more pitches and innings in the weeks ahead. “He’s getting very eager, getting very excited,” Roberts said before Sunday’s game. “I think that there’s a point where, in hearing from Shohei, that the effort that it takes to throw lives and things like that, [rather] than to play a game, then let’s use those bullets in a game. He’s getting very excited.” Now those proverbial “bullets” will be used Monday night at Dodger Stadium.
Conclusion
The debut of Shohei Ohtani as a pitcher for the Dodgers is a highly anticipated event, marking a significant milestone in his recovery from Tommy John surgery. With his impressive past performance and current eagerness to pitch, fans are expecting a remarkable display of skill and talent. As Ohtani takes the mound, all eyes will be on him, watching his every move, and cheering him on as he begins this new chapter in his career with the Dodgers.
FAQs
Q: When will Shohei Ohtani make his Dodgers pitching debut?
A: Shohei Ohtani will make his Dodgers pitching debut on Monday against the San Diego Padres.
Q: How long has Ohtani been recovering from his injury?
A: Ohtani underwent Tommy John surgery in September 2023 and has been recovering since then, only hitting in his first season with the Dodgers.
Q: What are the expectations for Ohtani’s pitching debut?
A: It is expected to be an incremental start for Ohtani, with him likely pitching only one inning as an opener, and then gradually adding more pitches and innings in the weeks ahead.
