Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani Sends 2-Word Message After Pitching Return
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Shohei Ohtani signed a 10-year, $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers before last season. The biggest reason he earned such a hefty deal was because of his ability to dominate on the mound and at the plate.
Ohtani did not pitch last season after undergoing elbow surgery at the end of the 2023 season. He underwent another surgery on his left shoulder after the World Series last season, on his non-throwing arm.
Ohtani ended up winning National League MVP despite not throwing a single pitch for the Dodgers last year. He had been building up to join the rotation. He threw a simulated game in May, but the Dodgers surprisingly had him serve as an opener against the San Diego Padres on Monday night.
MIAMI, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 19: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates after hitting a two-run home run, his 50th of the season, during the seventh inning against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot...
MIAMI, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 19: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates after hitting a two-run home run, his 50th of the season, during the seventh inning against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park on September 19, 2024 in Miami, Florida. Ohtani is now the first MLB player to have at least 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in the same season. MoreOhtani touched 100 mph in his outing. He threw a total of 28 pitches, 16 of which were strikes. He gave up two hits and allowed one earned run. He took to Instagram to comment on his return.
"I'm back," Ohtani captioned a post with pictures of him pitching.
Although he did not put up a scoreless frame, Ohtani's ability to work through the inning is likely what the Dodgers are more focused on. According to The Athletic's Fabian Ardaya, the team will build him up through similar outings.
"While he's expected to pitch one inning Monday, he will continue to build up at a rate of about an inning per outing until he's ready for full-fledged starts," wrote Ardaya before the Dodgers' Monday night matchup. "For a Dodgers team that has 14 pitchers on the injured list, it's a much-needed boost."
Whenever Ohtani is ready to handle a starter's workload, he will be a huge asset to the Dodgers. He has a 3.17 ERA and finished fourth in the American League Cy Young Award race in 2022.
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