Dodgers Make Major Shohei Ohtani Announcement

The 30-year-old joined the Dodgers as a designated hitter, as he was recovering from Tommy John surgery from a year prior. But, after multiple bullpen sessions, the Dodgers two-way player finally will show off his two-way ability on the mound.

Against the Padres, Ohtani will be on the mound for the first time since the 2023 season with the Los Angeles Angels. In that season, Ohtani had a 3.14 ERA and struck out 167 batters across 132 innings of work.

In his best season as a starter, in 2022, Ohtani threw 166 innings with a 2.33 ERA across 28 starts. Ohtani also struck out 219 batters and walked just 44. Ohtani was fourth in Cy Young voting, but, ironically, his best season on the mound didn't coincide with his MVP seasons. 

Ohtani won the MVP in 2021 and 2023, but his best pitching season in 2022 saw Ohtani be the MVP runner-up to Aaron Judge. Now, in 2025, Ohtani will get back on the mound, and go for a third-straight MVP season.

After over a year away from the mound, Ohtani will get a shot to pitch in the Major Leagues for the first time since singing his massive deal in free agency. It's a highly-anticipated start, and it's coming against a top team in the National League West in the Padres.

Ohtani is slated to be the Dodgers starter against the Padres, the first time he'll pitch since 2023, and the first time he's pitching in a Dodgers uniform. It'll be a big night Ohtani and the Dodgers, as the second-half of his game in finally showcased in a Dodgers uniform.