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Shohei Ohtani will return to the mound on Monday evening when the Los Angeles Dodgers will face the Padres of San Diego in what should be his first appearance of pitching since August 23, 2023.
The Dodgers announced Ohtani’s return to the bump on Sunday evening in the middle of the 5-4 team victory against the Giants of San Francisco. Ohtani has not launched since he was a member of the Los Angeles Angels. He had an elbow procedure between the 21 months, he was kept from the launcher’s mound.
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Los Angeles Dodgers Shohei Ohtani, # 17, launched a live shot practice before the match against New York Yankees at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on May 31, 2025. (Images Jayne Kamin-Ocea-Imagn)
It will probably be used as the first match for the Dodgers.
“Shohei is angry, which is a good thing for us,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, before the team’s announcement that Ohtani was going to be on the bump.
“I don’t know if it’s going to be one or two rounds, but I guess it’s probably a round to start. But it’s a good thing. Live, simulated, or other, has somehow followed his course. He is ready to do his debut on the mound.”
Ohtani was expected to go back to the launcher’s mound at one point when he signed a $ 700 million contract over 10 years with Los Angeles before the 2024 season. It was just a matter of time, and the Dodgers had no qualms about reliving his efforts to withdraw.
Shohei Ohtani, # 17, Los Angeles Dodgers takes place towards the canoe before a baseball match against the Giants of San Francisco in Los Angeles on Sunday, June 15, 2025. (AP photo / Jessie Alcheh)
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He began the enclosure sessions on March 29 and launched the practice of the striker on May 25.
“There has been a lot of anticipation,” said Roberts. “I think we did it in the right way with regard to our process, by communicating with Shohei and we feel good. … It’s good for our team. Our guys are enthusiastic about this potential. And obviously, above all, I am excited for Shohei.”
Ohtani is one of the few sports players who can both pitch and hit.
He made 86 appearances as a launcher and withdrew 608 strikers with a 3.01 MPM. He never launched the Los Angeles Angels in MLB.
Los Angeles faces a series of injuries in his rotation. Roki Sasaki should be sidelined in the long term with an impact of the right shoulder, Blake Snell is missing time due to the inflammation of the left shoulder, and Tyler Glasnow faces a right inflammation of the shoulder.
Los Angeles Dodgers appointed the shoving shohei Ohtani, # 17, reacting by interacting with the Giants Cop of the Giants of San Francisco, Willy Adames, # 2, during the fifth round of a baseball match in Los Angeles on Sunday, June 15, 2025. (AP photo / Jessie Alcheh)
Ohtani will be called upon to relieve dodgers in this area – at least for the moment.
