Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani struggles in return to mound

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani wobbled through a 28-pitch first inning at home against the San Diego Padres on Monday in his first appearance on the mound since August 2023.

Scheduled to throw as many as two innings, Ohtani went a single frame while allowing one run on two hits. He did not issue walk nor strike out a batter.

"Not quite happy with the results overall," Ohtani said of his pitching performance, "but the takeaway for me is that I feel good enough to be able to make the next outing."

Ohtani still wound up with a positive impact in the game. At the plate, he went 2-for-4 with an RBI double, an RBI single and a walk as the Dodgers prevailed 6-3.

Ohtani was back on the mound after undergoing Tommy John revision surgery on Sept. 19, 2023. His first Tommy John surgery came after his rookie season with the Los Angeles Angels in 2018, and he did not pitch in the 2019 season.

"Definitely a little bit more (nervous) than when I was solely a position player," Ohtani said.

Following a series of live batting practice sessions before games, the Dodgers elected to use Ohtani as an opener with the hope of adding an inning every time he takes the mound. He is tentatively scheduled to pitch once a week moving forward.

"That is my expectation," Ohtani said of the pitching plan. "But I did hit 100 (mph) today so first I want to see how my body feels and how it reacts. But the expectation is for me to go once a week and go a little longer every time I am out there so the bullpen won't be taxed."

Ohtani's fastest pitch was 100.2 mph to Padres No. 2 hitter Luis Arraez. He threw three other fastballs at 99.1 mph.

Padres leadoff hitter Fernando Tatis Jr. hit with a bloop single to right on a full count against Ohtani. After a wild pitch, Arraez put runners on the corners with a bloop single to center. Manny Machado followed with a sacrifice fly to center for a 1-0 lead.

Ohtani escaped further damage by retiring Gavin Sheets and Xander Bogarets on ground balls.

"I was aiming to sit 95, 96, but the game intensity really allowed me to throw a little harder and I was able to adjust back to be able to throw 95, 96 against Bogaerts in the last at-bat," Ohtani said.

As the Dodgers' leadoff hitter, Ohtani struck out in the first inning before he was replaced on the mound by left-hander Anthony Banda.

In 86 career pitching starts with the Angels from 2018-23, Ohtani went 38-19 with a 3.01 ERA and 608 strikeouts in 481 2/3 innings. He was voted American League MVP in 2021 and 2023 for his hitting and pitching exploits, then won National League MVP last season with the Dodgers after he hit 54 home runs with 59 stolen bases.

"I'm just really grateful, reflecting back on the support I received from the doctor who operated me, the support staff on the team and everybody who supported me along the way," Ohtani said. "So I am just grateful for, other than the results, for me to be able to go out there and be grateful for the moment I had today."

--Field Level Media