GLENDALE, Ariz. — Shohei Ohtani delivered a promising spring training debut on the mound Wednesday, signaling a potentially strong return to pitching for the Los Angeles Dodgers. The right-hander threw 4 ⅓ scoreless innings against the San Francisco Giants, reaching 99 mph on the fastball during a first-inning strikeout of Willy Adames. This performance marks a significant step in Ohtani’s recovery from elbow surgery and his preparation for the 2026 season, a season Dodgers fans are eagerly anticipating.
Ohtani, who hasn’t regularly pitched since 2022, appeared remarkably sharp, allowing just one hit, two walks, and a hit by pitch while striking out four batters. The 61 pitches he threw, 34 for strikes, were a positive sign for both his arm strength and command. The Dodgers are carefully managing Ohtani’s workload as he returns to the mound, and Wednesday’s outing was a crucial test of his progress. The focus remains on building him up gradually for the start of the regular season on March 26.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts expressed satisfaction with Ohtani’s performance, noting the quality of his stuff and his focus. “The stuff was really decent — it’s going to get more crisp as he gets out there and gets regular pitching,” Roberts said, according to the Associated Press. “But, man, it was really good. He knows he only has a couple outings before the start of the season, so he was focused. To have him touch the fifth inning was a huge win for us.”
A Measured Return to the Mound
Ohtani’s path back to pitching has been carefully charted following surgery to address damage to the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. He sat out the entire 2024 season as a pitcher, but continued to contribute as a designated hitter. He participated in live batting practice sessions with the Dodgers and also threw bullpen sessions while playing for Team Japan in the World Baseball Classic earlier this month, though he did not pitch in the tournament itself. His recent return to Dodgers camp at Camelback Ranch followed Japan’s elimination in the quarterfinals of the WBC, where he was 6-for-13 at the plate with three home runs over five games.
The conditions at Camelback Ranch presented an additional challenge, with temperatures pushing 100 degrees. Despite the heat, Ohtani breezed through the first inning on just five pitches. He yielded a leadoff double to Heliot Ramos in the second inning but then settled in, striking out Adames and Will Brennan to end the frame. Ohtani acknowledged a desire for improvement, stating through an interpreter, “I was pretty happy with the pitch count today. In terms of the next outing, I do want to be better at executing on two-strike counts. I just didn’t finish off hitters as much as I wanted.”
Looking Back at Ohtani’s Recent History
Prior to his injury, Ohtani established himself as a unique force in baseball, excelling as both a pitcher and a hitter. In 2022, with the Los Angeles Angels, he went 15-9 with a 2.33 ERA in 28 starts. He returned to the mound midway through 2025, posting a 2.87 ERA over 14 regular-season starts and helping the Dodgers win their second consecutive World Series title with a 2-1 record and a 4.43 ERA in the postseason.
Wednesday’s outing was Ohtani’s first competitive appearance on the mound since Game 7 of the 2023 World Series. The Dodgers are optimistic about his ability to regain his previous form and contribute significantly to their pitching staff. Roberts indicated that Ohtani is expected to make one more pre-season start next week.
Focus on Pitching, For Now
Ohtani did not hit during Wednesday’s game, choosing to concentrate solely on his pitching performance, particularly given the high temperatures. Roberts confirmed that Ohtani is expected to return to his role as the team’s designated hitter on Friday against the San Diego Padres. “He’s already taken enough at-bats, so I don’t think the at-bats are a concern,” Roberts said.
The Dodgers are taking a cautious approach with Ohtani, balancing the need to build his arm strength with the desire to have him fully prepared for the start of the regular season. The team’s success in 2026 will likely hinge, in part, on Ohtani’s ability to stay healthy and perform at a high level on the mound.
As Ohtani continues his spring training schedule, all eyes will be on his progress. The Dodgers’ next pre-season game is scheduled for Friday against the Padres, where Ohtani is expected to be back in the lineup as a designated hitter. Further updates on his pitching schedule and overall condition will be provided by the team as the season approaches.
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