Shohei Ohtani’s long-awaited pitching debut for the Los Angeles Dodgers on June 16, 2025, captured the attention of baseball fans everywhere, but it was his all-around performance that left both fans and coaches excited about what’s to come.
Despite his own dissatisfaction with the outing, Ohtani’s debut offered plenty of reasons for optimism as the Dodgers look to build toward a successful 2025 season.
A Rocky Start on the Mound
Ohtani’s pitching debut for the Dodgers was highly anticipated, and the crowd at Dodger Stadium reflected that excitement. The stadium was packed, and fans eagerly awaited Ohtani’s first start since his second Tommy John surgery.
After an eventful first inning, Ohtani’s return to the mound revealed both challenges and flashes of brilliance. His first pitch was a 97 mph sinker that Fernando Tatis Jr. fouled off.
Ohtani gave up a bloop single to the leadoff hitter and a rocket shot from Luis Arraez, putting runners on the corners early. However, Ohtani limited the damage to just one run after getting Manny Machado to strike out on a sweeper and inducing two groundouts.
Though Ohtani’s ERA sat at 9.00 for the night, the velocity of his pitches was a positive sign. He hit 100 mph on the radar gun and averaged 99.1 mph on his fastball. Manager Dave Roberts expressed satisfaction with Ohtani’s performance, stating, “I thought the stuff was really good.”
While it wasn’t a perfect outing, Ohtani’s stuff was undeniably strong, and the Dodgers were confident in his future appearances.
Ohtani Shines at the Plate
Despite the challenges on the mound, it was Ohtani’s bat that stole the show. After his first-inning pitching performance, Ohtani quickly transitioned to his designated hitter duties without missing a beat.
He hit an RBI double in the third inning to tie the game and followed it up with an RBI single the next inning to help extend the Dodgers’ lead.
Ohtani finished the game 2-for-4 with two RBIs, a walk, and two strikeouts. Even with his pitching duties, Ohtani showed that he can still produce at the plate, which is a crucial part of his unique value as a two-way player.
Ohtani’s Pitching Plan Moving Forward
Looking ahead, the Dodgers have set a plan for Ohtani to pitch once a week. His debut outing was capped at 28 pitches, but he is expected to increase his workload gradually.
With his velocity reaching higher levels than in his rehab starts, Ohtani will continue to monitor his body’s response to pitching before locking in his next start. It’s likely he will pitch two innings in his next appearance, scheduled for June 22 against the Washington Nationals.
General manager Brandon Gomes has emphasized that the plan is flexible, with regular conversations happening to assess Ohtani’s progress and readiness for the next step.
Ohtani himself noted, “I want to see first where my body feels and how it reacts,” indicating a cautious but optimistic approach as he ramps up his pitching workload.
A Positive Step for the Dodgers
Overall, Ohtani’s debut on the mound was a significant step forward for the Dodgers as they look to utilize him as both a pitcher and hitter. The Dodgers’ manager, Roberts, expressed excitement about Ohtani’s return: “It was just a really positive day for us.”
With a team already full of talent and postseason aspirations, Ohtani’s potential to contribute both on the mound and at the plate could make the Dodgers even more dangerous in the quest for another title.
The Dodgers are excited about the possibility of a fully healthy and productive Ohtani, knowing that if he can continue to perform at both positions, he could be the key to their championship hopes.
“We’re just kind of excited that we finally got that first one under our belt,” Roberts said, with the team eager to see how Ohtani’s two-way brilliance will shape the rest of the season.
