Shohei Ohtani made his highly anticipated pitching debut for the Los Angeles Dodgers against the San Diego Padres, nearly two years after undergoing elbow surgery. He threw 28 pitches in the first inning, achieving a fastball speed of 100.2 mph, the season’s second-fastest from a Dodgers pitcher. Though he seemed to be laboring, Ohtani managed to retire Xander Bogaerts and faced other key batters like Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado, allowing only one run.
After his pitching stint, Ohtani transitioned to batting, striking out once but later tying the game with an RBI double in the third inning. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts expressed his enthusiasm for Ohtani’s dual role, stating everyone was eager for this moment. Ohtani’s return to the mound came after he had been successfully hitting since around three weeks prior, demonstrating a remarkable recovery. Despite the typical path for pitchers returning from injury being minor league assignments, Ohtani’s unique situation allowed him to leapfrog directly into a major league game.
GMs and coaches are closely monitoring Ohtani’s performance to ensure he stays healthy while balancing his role as a pitcher and designated hitter. His presence is anticipated to bolster a struggling Dodgers pitching staff, which has suffered due to injuries. Ohtani aims to remain strong for the postseason, entering this debut with a .290 batting average, 25 homers, and having won the World Series with the Dodgers last season. Overall, the team is optimistic as they navigate Ohtani’s extraordinary capabilities while prioritizing his health and performance.
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