Shohei Ohtani, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ two-way superstar, made his highly anticipated return to the mound in a game against division rivals San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium. It had been 663 days since he last pitched, depriving fans of his signature four-seam fastball and splitter.
Ohtani faced immediate challenges, struggling with control and requiring 28 pitches to get through just one inning. However, he showed glimpses of his dominance, hitting over 100 mph and showcasing why he’s considered one of the best in the position.
In a thrilling turn of events, Ohtani stepped up as the leadoff hitter in the bottom of the first inning, immediately making an impact with a slider that sent him swinging and missing. He then delivered on his promise, hitting a double to left center field that drove in Andy Pages to tie the game at one.
Ohtani continued to make his presence felt, adding another RBI after hitting a single to score Pages again and extend the Dodgers’ lead to 5-2. The team went on to secure a 6-3 victory, with Ohtani playing a crucial role in their comeback.
The Dodgers’ pitcher had an injury-plagued season so far, with 14 different pitchers on the injured list, including Tyler Glasnow and newly signed Roki Sasaki. Ohtani’s long-awaited return was made possible after he underwent a procedure to repair his right ulnar collateral ligament in August 2023.
Ohtani has had an incredible season, signing the largest contract in North American sports history before the season. He broke multiple records at the plate, including becoming the first player to hit 50-plus home runs and steal 50-plus bases. His impressive performance earned him another All-Star selection, a World Series ring, and unanimously voting as National League MVP for the third time.
With his return to the mound, Ohtani solidified his position as one of baseball’s most unique players.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/06/16/sport/shohei-ohtani-dodgers-pitching-return-spt