Shohei Ohtani made his much-anticipated return to the mound on June 16, pitching for the Los Angeles Dodgers against the San Diego Padres. This marked his first appearance since undergoing surgery to repair his ulnar collateral ligament in 2023. Fans and teammates alike were eager to see how he would perform after a long recovery.
Ohtani pitched for just one inning, a move that was expected as he continues to ease back into action. During that inning, he allowed one run on two hits and threw a total of 28 pitches. Notably, he reached a maximum fastball velocity of 100.2 mph, showcasing that his arm strength is returning.
His first challenge came against Fernando Tatis Jr., who managed to hit a single on a six-pitch at-bat. The second hit followed shortly after from Luis Arraez. Despite the runs, Ohtani’s performance demonstrated promising signs of recovery.
The decision to bring Ohtani back on the mound surprised many, including Dodgers reliever Alex Vesia, who admitted he had no idea the star would return so soon. Manager Dave Roberts had hinted at Ohtani’s readiness during a press conference the night before, and the team made the official announcement shortly thereafter.
Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes explained that after observing Ohtani’s performance in simulated games, they felt it was time for him to pitch at the major league level. He stated, "It got to the point where, hey, it feels like we should take that next step and almost look to finish the rehab at the major league level."
Roberts echoed this sentiment, noting that Ohtani expressed confidence in his ability to pitch again. "I don’t think there’s anything else to do. I’m ready to go," Roberts quoted Ohtani.
While Ohtani has not pitched since 2023, he has continued to excel as a hitter. This season, he boasts a batting average of .297, with 25 home runs and 41 RBIs, proving he remains a vital asset for the Dodgers both on the mound and at the plate.
As Ohtani continues his recovery, fans are hopeful that this is just the beginning of his return to full form as one of baseball’s brightest stars.