Ever since Shohei Ohtani signed that record-shattering deal with the Dodgers, fans have been dreaming of the moment when he’d do what no one else in baseball can. The Dodgers have shared countless updates about when Ohtani would return to the mound, but it hasn’t materialized. However, we will get to witness the historic moment soon, before the All-Star break. Yes, it’s finally happening.
Ohtani is ready to dominate both at the plate and on the mound in the Dodgers blue. The Japanese ace is all set to take the mound on Monday night against the Padres, marking his return to pitching for the first time since August 2023!
Just when the Dodgers fans were getting worried about Roki Sasaki’s season-ending injury and dwindling starting rotation, this news came as a breath of fresh air. “He’s ready to pitch in a big-league game,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters Sunday night. But he didn’t confirm when.
The official X account of the Dodgers, however, did the needful. “Shohei Ohtani will be the starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers tomorrow night against the San Diego Padres,” Dodgers posted on X.
Shohei Ohtani will be the starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers tomorrow night against the San Diego Padres.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 16, 2025
Now, it wouldn’t be an overstatement to say Dodgers’ game against the Padres will be one of MLB’s most-awaited game this year. The last time the Padres faced Shohei Ohtani on the mound was back in July 2023, when he was still with the Angels.
Well, that was also the final year Ohtani pitched before undergoing elbow surgery. In 2023, he went 10-5 with a 3.14 ERA, a 1.06 WHIP, and racked up 167 strikeouts over 132 innings. So, now, after 664 days, when he is returning to pitching, expectations are high. Do you think a 2023-like performance is on the horizon? Time will tell!
Despite Ohtani’s willingness to pitch live, he would still be handled with care. While his exact pitch limit remains unclear, it’s unlikely he’ll go deep into Monday’s game. However, even a limited version of Ohtani on the mound is something the Dodgers desperately need right now.
The fans, in the meantime, are thrilled and flooding social media.
High anticipation for Shohei Ohtani’s pitching
While fans across all teams would love to see the two-way player taking the mound, for the Dodgers fans, it’s a dream-come-true moment. “It’s happening,” wrote a fan. Yes, at last, the most awaited moment is here. For months, Dodgers fans were fed a steady stream of updates about Ohtani’s return to the mound, but never any firm date. It always felt like a waiting game.
But with the Dodgers rotation in shambles, Ohtani’s rehab process suddenly found a new gear. Now, out of necessity, the countdown to his long-awaited return finally turned real.
ITS HAPPENING
— SleeperDodgers (@SleeperDodgers) June 16, 2025
“Holy moly, the tickets are about to shoot up,” wrote another fan. Well, that’s expected when it has suddenly become one of the most anticipated games this year. Remember the last time when Ohtani played in the Tokyo Series? The buzz was so electric that ticket prices at the Tokyo Dome skyrocketed. This time again, it’s history in the making. A two-player donning the Dodgers blue!
“Shohei becomes the best player in baseball again tomorrow,” a netizen chimed in. Ahh, probably. The competition between Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani ends just when the latter takes the mound. In 2021, Ohtani became the first player ever to be selected to the All-Star Game both as a pitcher and a hitter. That year, he smashed 46 home runs, stole 26 bases, and struck out 156 batters on the mound.
While some may think Aaron Judge is a better hitter than Ohtani, it’s not possible at the moment to find another two-way player of Ohtani’s caliber. So, according to this fan, as Ohtani takes the mound on Monday, he becomes the best player in baseball again.
“1m views already is crazy. Ohtani is HIM,” one fan wrote. Well not just one million, as we write this, the Dodgers’ post on X crosses 6.3 million views. Enough to prove what Ohtani means to MLB.
Be it his $100 million projected promotional earnings this year or entering the 50/50 club, Ohtani is all about breaking unique milestones. A true global face of MLB. It’s now time to cherish his return to the mound. Well, at last. Are you excited for Monday night?
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