Baseball star Shohei Ohtani to make Los Angeles Dodgers pitching debut | Baseball News

The Japanese player will present his MLB team for the first time since his signing of a $ 700 million contract with them in 2024.

Shohei Ohtani should return to the mound as a launcher leaving for the Los Angeles Dodgers at the opening of a series of four games against the visit of San Diego Padres, the team of Major League Baseball (MLB) announced.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts originally said journalists on Sunday that Ohtani was to present a simulated match in the coming days, but the team decided to give him the head of the rival Padres on Monday.

“It becomes very impatient, very excited,” said Roberts. “I think that thought is that, given where we are right now, all that he can give us is additive, even if it is a round or two sleeves on the forehead.”

This will mark the first appearance of launcher of the Ohtani League since August 23, 2023 and its first with the Dodgers. The two -way player underwent Tommy John surgery on his elbow in September 2023, three months before signing a $ 10 million contract over 10 years with the Dodgers.

Ohtani increased for a return to the mound in June. On Tuesday, the right -hander launched 44 throws on three simulated rounds against the minor leaguers of the Arizona spring complex of Dodgers.

Ohtani’s return could not arrive at a better time for Los Angeles. The runners Roki Sasaki (right shoulder), Blake Snell (left shoulder) and Tyler Glasnow (right shoulder) are all on the injured list. Sasaki was recently forced to close its launch program after feeling discomfort this week. There is no calendar for his return this season.

In total, Dodgers have 14 launchers on the injured list – most in the MLB.

During his career in the majors, Ohtani has a 38-19 years old, with an MPM of 3.01 in 86 career departures, all with the Los Angeles Angels. In 481 2/3 sleeves, he compiled 608 stick withdrawals and 173 steps.

MVP three times, Ohtani reached 0.297 with 41 points produced in 70 games this season, leading the National League with 25 circuits and a 1.035 OPS.