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Ohtani Shines At Bat, On Mound in Second Start of Season

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Eric W. Bolin | Last updated Jun 22, 2025 8:53 PM ET

Shohei Ohtani isn't quite ready to pick up where he left off pitching for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2023. But he's getting closer.

Ohtani made his second pitching start of the season Sunday against the Washington Nationals. He only pitched a single inning again - the same as his first start last week - but looked even better than he did in his opening outing. Ohtani induced a groundout from Nats leadoff hitter CJ Abrams before James Wood reached on an error from Mookie Betters. After that, Ohtani struck out both Luis Garcia Jr. and Nathaniel Lowe swinging to clear the first-inning hurdle.

At the plate, the Dodgers star was even more extraordinary. Ohtani went 2 for 4 with a triple, a home run, a walk, three runs and five RBIs in Los Angeles' 13-7 win to take the series from Washington.

The game at the plate was the best for Ohtani in almost a month. The 30-year-old had a total of five RBIs over his previous 17 games. Those five are one short of his season high, registered May 15 against the Athletics in a 19-2 win. Ohtani's home run was his 26th of the season, leading the National League.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts had previously said Ohtani could be used in multiple innings as a starter, but the right-hander wasn't ready to log traditional starts yet. In his first two in 2025, Ohtani has worked just a lone inning. On Sunday, he threw 18 pitches, including 12 for strikes.

Los Angeles exits the weekend with the best record in the NL at 48-31 and 3 1/2 games in front of rival San Francisco in the NL West.

In theory, Ohtani's next start will take place Saturday at Kansas City.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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