Does Alex Rodriguez think Ohtani should get back into pitching?
Sports Seriously’s Mackenzie Salmon asks Alex Rodriguez about the Dodgers and Shohei Ohtani’s focus on hitting than pitching right now.
Sports Seriously
LOS ANGELES — Shohei Ohtani has taken the mound as a Los Angeles Dodger.
The three-time MVP made his pitching debut on Monday, June 16, starting against the San Diego Padres in his first appearance on the mound since August 2023.
It wasn’t the prettiest outing, as he allowed one run after surrendering hits to the first two batters of the game and a sacrifice fly. The defense then made plays to get him out of the inning. It would be the only inning he’d pitch in front of an eager Dodger Stadium crowd.
Ohtani’s first outing came to fruition quickly as he worked his way back to the mound. After he rehabbed his arm during his 2024 MVP season as he recovered from his torn ulnar collateral ligament he suffered with the Los Angeles Angels, Ohtani made progress with simulated games in recent weeks. The expectation was he’d pitch after the All-Star break in July, but the team opted to give Ohtani the early green light.
USA TODAY Sports will provide the latest updates, highlights and more. Follow along:
LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers pitching debut for Ohtani lasts one inning.
After giving up consecutive singles to Fernando Tatis Jr. and Luis Arraez, Manny Machado hits a sacrifice fly out of the zone to give San Diego an early lead. The defense then helped Ohtani as Gavin Sheets grounded out to second base and Xander Bogaerts grounded out to third base to end the inning.
Ohtani threw 28 pitches for 16 strikes. His fastball and sinker were hovering around 98 mph with the sweeper around 89 mph. He touched 100 mph once in the frame as he gave up one run on two hits.
Anthony Banda comes in for Los Angeles in the second inning to end Ohtani’s night on the mound.
He gives up one run, he gets one right back.
Ohtani prevented him from possibly getting the loss with a RBI double in the third inning to score Andy Pages. It makes it a 1-1 game and Ohtani will get the no decision for pitching.
Ohtani stays in the leadoff position after coming off the mound. He strikes out swinging to Padres pitcher Dylan Cease.
Ohtani nearly strikes out Machado on a checked swing. Machado hits an out to center fielder Andy Pages and Fernando Tatis tags up and just gets to home before Will Smith gets the tag to give San Diego a 1-0 lead.
Back-to-back hits off Ohtani to put runners on the corners with no outs.
After fouling off the first pitch of the game, Ohtani gets to a full count but Tatis hits a single to shallow center field. He then takes second on a wild pitch.
The two-way star takes the mound for his first pitching start as a Dodger.
How to watch Dodgers vs Padres
The San Diego Padres travel to Dodger Stadium to face off against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday night.
Date: Monday, June 16Time: 10:10 p.m. ETTV: MLB NetworkLocation: Dodger Stadium (Los Angeles)
LOS ANGELES — The expectation pregame was that Ohtani would pitch one inning on Monday, and he’s not on a pitch count. Roberts said he expects extra adrenaline, but his focus will be on Ohtani’s command, delivery and stress to determine how long he goes.
The day will also serve as a starting point for how he feels after outings, and they will talk about his pitching duties on a day-by-day basis.
While the plan is to get him stretched out as a starter by the time October rolls around, Roberts doesn’t expect Ohtani to pitch every five days. The Dodgers skipper thought about moving him off the leadoff spot, but Ohtani said he has no issues with coming straight off the mound and into the batter’s box.
“We’ll see how it responds, and we’re still gathering information. I think that going forward, it’ll be helpful to what decisions we have” Roberts said.
Shohei Ohtani (L) PMookie Betts (R) SSFreddie Freeman (L) 1BTeoscar Hernández (R) RFWill Smith (R) CMax Muncy (L) 3BAndy Pages (R) CFMichael Conforto (L) LFTommy Edman (S) 2B
Pitcher: RH Dylan Cease – 2-5, 4.28 ERA, 96 SO
Fernando Tatis Jr. (R) RFLuis Arraez (L) 1BManny Machado (R) 3BGavin Sheets (L) LFXander Bogaerts (R) SSJake Cronenworth (L) 2BTrenton Brooks (L) DHTyler Wade (L) CFMartín Maldonado (R) C2018: 4-2, 3.31 ERA and 63 strikeouts in 51 ⅔ innings pitched 2019: Did not pitch (injury)2020: 0-1, 37.80 ERA and three strikeouts in 1 ⅔ innings pitched2021: 9-2 with 3.18 ERA and 156 strikeouts in 130.1 innings pitched2022: 15-9 with 2.33 ERA and 219 strikeouts in 166 innings pitched2023: 10-5 with 3.14 ERA and 167 strikeouts in 132 innings pitched2024: Did not pitch (injury)
Ohtani hasn’t pitched since Aug. 23, 2023. As a member of the Los Angeles Angels, Ohtani pitched 1.1 innings against the Cincinnati Reds with one walk and two strikeouts before he left the game with injury. He ended up needing surgery for a torn ulnar collateral ligament, which has prevented him from pitching since then.
Ohtani has had two Tommy John surgeries in his career. He had his first one in October 2018 at the end of his rookie season, and in September of 2023 in his final season with the Angels.