Shohei Ohtani’s return to the mound had the baseball world talking.

More news: Fans React to Shohei Ohtani’s Pitching Debut With Dodgers

But the right-handed starting pitcher only had two words to say following his pitching debut for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

“I’m back,” Ohtani said in a post on Instagram.

The four-time All-Star had not pitched since August 2023 during his final season with the Los Angeles Angels.

So when the Dodgers announced the reigning National League Most Valuable Player was starting in Sunday’s game against the San Diego Padres, ticket prices skyrocketed and fans eagerly awaited his first pitch.

Ohtani threw one inning where he gave up two hits and one run. He did not strike out any batters and allowed back-to-back to singles followed by third baseman Manny Machado’s sacrifice fly that gave San Diego a one-run lead.

Machado’s RBI followed a controversial call at the plate, where the umpire ruled his checked swing as a no swing. As a result, Machado was not struck out and capitalized on another chance to bring in a run.

Although on paper Ohtani’s outing seems unsuccessful, it is a glimpse into what he could be for the Dodgers going forward.

His fastball reached 100.2 mph, which ties reliever Michael Kopech for the second-fastest pitch thrown by a Dodgers pitcher this season. 

Starting pitcher Roki Sasaki boasts the team’s fastest pitch this season, reaching 100.5 mph in his MLB debut.

But Sasaki has since sustained a shoulder injury that could keep him off the mound for the rest of the season, making Ohtani’s return even more valuable.

After his first start for the Dodgers, Ohtani said he wants to continue improving his pitching.

As Los Angeles works to manage numerous pitching injuries, Ohtani’s outing suggests he could revive the Dodgers’ rotation.

For now, the Dodgers plan for Ohtani to pitch once a week as they slowly increase the length of his starts.

Ohtani was already last season’s NL MVP without contributing as a pitcher. Now that he can pitch, the world is waiting to see what he will accomplish next.

More news: Dodgers’ Andy Pages Thinks Padres’ Dylan Cease Hit Him Intentionally With 98 MPH Pitch

Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

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