Shohei Ohtani made his highly anticipated pitching debut for the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday night, but the experience was far from a perfect one. The two-way superstar reached speeds of 100.2 mph and 99.9 mph in consecutive pitches, showcasing his incredible velocity despite initial doubts.
“I was just hoping for a more tempered 97, 96,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts after the 6-3 win over the San Diego Padres. “But when you’re a competitor, you’re trying to get guys out.”
Ohtani himself acknowledged that he struggled with control, but emphasized his ability to recover from the initial setbacks. “Not quite happy with the results overall,” Ohtani said, “but I think the biggest takeaway for me is that I feel good enough to be able to go out for my next outing.”
The 30-year-old’s pitching debut marked a significant step forward in his rehabilitation process after a year-long hiatus due to injuries. The Dodgers’ plan is for Ohtani to take the mound every six to eight days, adding an inning each time until he builds up to act like more of a traditional starting pitcher.
Despite some concerns about Ohtani’s pitching health and endurance, his impressive velocity and hitting skills remain intact. “He never stops surprising me,” said Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy. “We’ll see how it progresses for him.”
With Ohtani’s return to full-time playing duties now in motion, the baseball world is eager to witness the next chapter of this unique and dynamic player’s career.
Source: https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/45527551/shohei-ohtani-pitches-hits-game-first-23