For the first time in almost two years, Shohei ohtani has returned to where he belongs. This is the mound of the major leagues.
The Los Angeles Dodgers announced their two-way superstars and dominant National League MVP on Sunday night Starts Monday Night Series Opener for the San Diego Padres At Dodger Stadium.
Shohei Ohtani will be the starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers against the San Diego Padres tomorrow night.
– Los Angeles Dodgers (@dodgers) June 16, 2025
On August 23, 2023, Otani was the first time he pitched in a big league match when he came out early against the Reds while wearing the Angels red and white.
After 22 months and one elbow surgery, Otani is finally ready to trip the elastic again. This time it’s Dodger Blue.
“Shohei is getting uneasy, and this is good for us,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said after Sunday’s 5-4 victory over the San Francisco Giants. “He’s ready. It’s time to go.”
The plan is for Otani to act as an opener, throwing one or two innings before giving way to right-hander Ben Casparius, who probably handles most of the workload. Strategies are as cautious as electricity. For the Dodgers, it’s not about growing Otani, but about finally making the world witness what we all had been waiting for.
“He’s going to open for us,” said Roberts of Otani’s plan. “Live simulation game is running the course and ready to debut on the mound.” Perfect for the game. I’m excited about Shohei.”
Otani told reporters through a translator after the two-person Homer performance on Saturday night that he was ready to return to the mound in a major league match.
Shohei Ohtani on tonight’s 2 Homer night for Dodgers, his recent home run drought before that, how his pitching is going, and whether he’s approaching to returning to the mound, and whether he really starts before an All-Star break. pic.twitter.com/zcb75t0y1d
– Michael J. Duarte (@michaeljduarte) June 15th, 2025
pitcher. A strong hitter. A miracle of $700 million.
Although it’s not often a pre-ordered TV on Monday nights in June, sports get attention when Unicorn returns to the hill.
Otani, 29, underwent surgery on his right elbow after toreting his second UCL in his career on September 19, 2023. He previously had Tommy John surgery in 2018. Since signing a historic 10-year contract with the Dodgers last December, Japan’s sense has focused solely on hits to date.
His ramp up started quietly behind the scenes. He paused pitching activities after the mound session in February, focusing on the first day as a batsman and resumed the bullpen on March 29th.
It didn’t take long for him to let the team know he was more prepared.
“He said that doing a three-inning live performance is straining his body,” Roberts said about why the team changed course from the original plan that was expected to come after the All-Star break from the original plan to score Otani’s ramp up to five or more innings in the simulated game. “He’s ready to pitch in a major league game and he let us know.”
Otani hasn’t pitched one inning this season, but he is still the Dodgers’ most valuable player and perhaps the face of baseball.
Until June 15th, he led the National League with 1.035 OPS, hitting .297 with 25 home runs, 41 RBIs and 16 stolen bases. He made an extraordinary look everyday. Moonshot Homer. An inflated line drive. Sprints in games around the bass. Every time he steps into the batter’s box, there’s ham in the air.
And now the ham is heading for the mound.
The timing of Otani’s return is no more important.
The Dodgers are rubbing their bullpen games just to survive the brutal waves of injuries. Saga Prince, a 23-year-old Japanese rookie, hasn’t pitched since May 9th due to a right shoulder collision and hasn’t come out in the long run. Former Cy Young winner Blake Snell is battling inflammation in his shoulder. This season, undoubtedly LA ace Tyler Glasnow landed in the IL with the same diagnosis.
Sasaki’s position in particular is vague. He started his slow program earlier this month, but felt uncomfortable again last week and was then closed.
“He just doesn’t feel strong,” Roberts said. “We’re not going to push him.”
Otani’s comeback is easy as the innings and postseason drawings begin to sharpen in Premium.
This is not the case in one inning or two.
This is about real-time history.
Otani’s presence on the big-name mound reminds us of what perseverance is possible when we encounter transcendent talent. This is the story of the Tokyo Dome to the Chavez Valley, filled with retreats, surgery, speculation and now empty.
“This is very exciting,” he added that Otani’s Roberts made his Dodgers debut on the mound. “I’m the first to be a baseball fan. My hope for the game is that it’s going to be a banana.”
The pitch isn’t the only roaring Monday night when No. 17 jersey jogs from the Dodgers’ dugout and walks on that slow, intentional mound.
That’s for now.
659 days of making-of.
It’s worth every second of the wait.
