Shohei Ohtani’s Pitching Return Contributes To MLB.TV Viewership Record

The Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres played Monday night for a fourth time since June 9, but the series opener at Dodger Stadium had extra buzz due to Shohei Ohtani starting the game as a pitcher.

Ohtani’s return to the mound after a second Tommy John surgery was a planned shortened outing as he navigates a rehab assignment of sorts. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said heading into the game that Ohtani would not throw more than two innings.

He pitched just one inning, throwing 28 pitches and allowing one run. Ohtani’s fastball velocity topped out at 100.2 mph.

Despite the short outing, Monday’s game was the most-watched in MLB.TV history. Viewership for the game saw a 28% increase from the previous single-game high set on Opening Day of the 2024 when the New York Yankees played the Houston Astros.

Along with fans having access to MLB.TV streams, the game was also broadcast on TV in home markets for the Dodgers and Padres.

Ohtani pitching certainly provided a boost in interest, but the two National League West rivals draw plenty of attention on a regular basis anyhow. Some of that has stemmed from an increase in intensity of their matchups that have made it a budding rivalry.

After Ohtani’s pitching return, Dylan Cease initially held the Dodgers in check as he collected six strikeouts and allowed just one run through three innings. That came on a two-out RBI double by Ohtani in the bottom of the third.

The Dodgers then put together a five-run inning in the fourth to take a decided lead.

Shohei Ohtani’s next game pitching

The Dodgers plan to have Ohtani on a schedule of pitching once per week. Manager Dave Roberts said his next outing could come as soon as Sunday.

The goal is for Ohtani to increase his workload with each start in order to become fully stretched out, similar to a progression seen in Spring Training or rehab assignment with a Minor League affiliate.