TL;DR - Scouting Report
Shohei Ohtani to Make Pitching Debut for Dodgers Monday Night vs. Padres — his first time on the mound since 2023 comes in front of a home LA crowd. Here’s what to expect from Shohei in Dodger Blue.
Start the Rally: Tweet This Now!Reigning National League MVP and Dodgers outfielder Shohei Ohtani will be making his pitching debut Monday night in a Dodgers uniform as an opener (for one inning) against the Padres, manager Dave Roberts announced in the postgame press conference following Sunday’s 5-4 victory over the Giants.
This is the Dodgers news you’ve been looking for, as Shohei Ohtani’s Dodger pitching debut is here, as posted on X by the Dodgers’ team account, and it will kick off a huge series.
As if the Blake Snell bobblehead was not enough of an incentive for fans to get over to Dodger Stadium Monday night, the wait to see Ohtani pitch in Dodger Blue is finally over.
A Storied Start to Shohei Ohtani’s Dodgers Career
Ohtani, 30, has played in 229 games for the Dodgers, hitting .304/.389/.644 with 79 HRs, 171 RBIs and 70 stolen bases, becoming baseball’s first 50-50 player to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases a season ago.
Dodger fans know Ohtani as a reliable hitter who is a power threat every time he steps up to the plate. But the player who earned the then-historic 10-year, $700 million contract is an excellent pitcher too.
A Reminder: He’s Also a Dominant Pitcher
In five seasons on the mound with the Angels, he went 38-19 with a 3.01 ERA, 3.31 FIP and 1.082 WHIP, striking out 11.4 batters per 9 innings pitched.
His best campaign came in 2022 when he went 15-9 with a 2.33 ERA, 2.40 FIP and 1.012 WHIP, striking out 11.9 batters per 9 innings pitched. He finished fourth in the AL Cy Young race.
Previous Showdown vs. the Padres (at Petco Park)
Ohtani faced the Padres once before, in a game he left Petco Park with a blister. He was hit pretty hard, going 5.0 IP, allowing five runs on seven hits, walking four and striking out five batters.
He allowed home runs to Xander Bogaerts and Jake Cronenworth – both expected to be in the Padres’ lineup Monday night for the opener of a four-game series.
Fernando Tatis? He went 0-3 with a strikeout against Ohtani.
Manny Machado? He singled twice, going 2-2 with a walk.
Looking Back at Shohei Ohtani’s Last Time on the Mound
His last pitching appearance was a quick one on August 23, 2023 for the Angels against the Reds. He pitched 1.1 innings, allowing no hits, one walk and striking out two batters.
Prior to that, he earned his 10th and final win of that season, pitching 6.0 innings against the Giants, allowing an unearned run on three hits, three walks and five strikeouts on 97 pitches.
The Stage is Set
After taking his time to fully rehab, Ohtani will finally take the mound in Dodger Blue Monday night.
What do you predict he will do in his first opportunity to pitch for Dodger fans?
Share your predictions below in the comments.
