In a major development that has sent a wave of excitement across the baseball world, the Los Angeles Dodgers have announced that two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani will make his highly anticipated return to the mound tomorrow night as the starting pitcher against the San Diego Padres. This marks Ohtani’s first pitching appearance in a Dodgers uniform and his first outing since undergoing elbow surgery that prematurely ended his 2023 pitching season with the Los Angeles Angels.
The news, confirmed by the Dodgers just hours after their latest series concluded, brings to life a long-awaited moment for fans and players alike. Ohtani, who signed a record-breaking $700 million contract with the Dodgers in December 2023, has been limited to designated hitter duties so far this season as he recovered from the surgery on his ulnar collateral ligament (UCL). His return to the mound not only reintroduces one of the most dominant pitchers in the game but also completes his full transformation into the two-way phenom that has captivated baseball audiences since his MLB debut in 2018.
Ohtani’s return couldn’t come at a more pivotal time. The Dodgers are in the thick of a heated National League West race, and adding his elite arm to an already strong rotation significantly boosts their postseason outlook. Even without pitching, Ohtani has continued to shine at the plate this season, ranking among the league leaders in home runs, RBIs, and OPS. Now, with his dual-threat capabilities back in play, the Dodgers will be more dangerous than ever.
According to manager Dave Roberts, the decision to start Ohtani was made after a final evaluation by the medical staff and a series of successful bullpen sessions over the past two weeks. “He’s looked sharp, he’s confident, and most importantly, he’s ready,” Roberts told reporters during a press conference. “We’ve been waiting for this moment, and Shohei’s been working tirelessly to get back. It’s exciting—for the team, for the fans, and for the game of baseball.”
Ohtani is expected to be on a strict pitch count during the start, likely limited to around 60–70 pitches as he continues building up arm strength and stamina. Still, his presence on the mound—even in a shortened outing—instantly shifts the dynamic of any game. In his last full season as a pitcher in 2022, Ohtani posted a 2.33 ERA with 219 strikeouts over 166 innings, while also hitting 34 home runs. His rare ability to dominate from both the mound and the batter’s box has drawn comparisons to Babe Ruth, though Ohtani’s simultaneous excellence at both roles arguably makes him even more unique.
The San Diego Padres, who have had their share of offensive struggles this season, will now face one of the toughest possible matchups. Ohtani’s devastating fastball-slider-splitter combination can overwhelm even the best lineups, and his uncanny ability to adjust mid-game makes him unpredictable. Padres manager Mike Shildt acknowledged the challenge ahead, saying, “We respect Ohtani like everyone else in the league does. You just don’t see a guy like him—there’s nobody else like him. But we’ll be ready to compete.”
Ohtani’s start also promises to be a massive event at Dodger Stadium, with ticket demand surging within minutes of the announcement. The stadium is expected to sell out, as fans flock to witness a historic moment not only for the Dodgers but for Major League Baseball at large. Ohtani’s impact on the sport stretches far beyond Los Angeles or even the United States; he is a global icon, revered in Japan and celebrated worldwide for his humility, discipline, and unprecedented talent.
Teammates have also voiced their excitement. Mookie Betts called it “an electric moment,” and Freddie Freeman noted, “It’s one thing to have Shohei in the lineup. It’s another to have him dominate on both sides of the game. This is what we’ve all been waiting for.”
The Dodgers’ long-term plan for Ohtani’s pitching workload remains conservative, with a focus on quality over quantity. The team is likely to limit him to fewer innings in the regular season to keep him fresh for a potential deep playoff run. There is also speculation that the team may eventually adopt a six-man rotation to accommodate Ohtani’s unique role and ensure sufficient rest between starts.
Still, tomorrow’s game against the Padres marks a symbolic and strategic turning point. It signals not just Ohtani’s full return to form, but also the full realization of the Dodgers’ ambitious plan to build around a transcendent two-way talent. As the countdown to first pitch begins, the baseball world will once again turn its attention to Dodger Stadium, ready to witness history—and the next chapter in the legend of Shohei Ohtani.
