Shohei Ohtani’s next pitching start is confirmed.
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts announced that Ohtani will start Sunday against the Nationals in the finale of a three-game series against Washington. The start will be Ohtani’s second as a pitcher since his return to the mound Monday following a lengthy pitching layoff.
Ohtani made his Dodgers pitching debut in Monday’s 6-3 win over the San Diego Padres. He started the game and pitched a single inning, allowing two hits and one earned run on 28 pitches. In his pitching career, the three-time All-Star has repeatedly reached the high-90s with his fastball and peaked at 100.2 mph on a wild pitch Monday.
Ohtani’s road back to the mound
The mound appearance was Ohtani’s first against live batters since Aug. 23, 2023, when he was a member of the Los Angeles Angels. One month later, he underwent surgery to repair the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow for the second time. He previously underwent Tommy John surgery in 2018.
Shohei Ohtani appears to be back in the rotation, though he’s not likely to see full starter’s innings for a while. (AP Foto/Kyusung Gong) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Ohtani joined the Dodgers in December 2023 and earned NL MVP honors in 2024 after stealing 59 bases and leading the NL with 54 home runs, 130 RBI and 134 runs scored. He took the entire season off as a pitcher while recovering from surgery and has since worked back up to facing MLB hitters through bullpen sessions and simulated games. With his bat so valuable, the Dodgers opted to skip sending Ohtani to the minors for a rehab assignment.
Roberts: Ohtani was ‘a little fatigued’ after start
Roberts said Tuesday that Ohtani was “a little fatigued” after the start, but he teased another pitching appearance in the coming days.
Dave Roberts says Shohei Ohtani could make his next start for the Dodgers as soon as this Saturday or Sunday vs the Nationals:
“He’s feeling good… just a little fatigued.” pic.twitter.com/fIlOl6Zm2F
— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) June 18, 2025
“He’s feeling good,” Roberts said. “I think he’s just a little fatigued but feels good.”
Roberts then told reporters Wednesday that the plan is for Ohtani to pitch Sunday against the Nationals. The Dodgers listed Ohtani as the probable starter for Sunday’s game on Thursday.
How long will Ohtani go against the Nationals?
It’s not clear how much Ohtani will pitch, but his Sunday start will certainly be abbreviated as he continues to work back into pitching shape. The Dodgers are counting on Ohtani’s arm for the long run this season as they seek to compete for a second straight World Series championship.
The Dodgers enter Thursday’s series finale against the Padres on a five-game winning streak that includes three wins against the Padres and two wins against the San Francisco Giants, both of whom are chasing the Dodgers at the top of the NL West.
The winning streak puts the Dodgers at 46-29, 4.5 games ahead of the Giants and six ahead of the Padres in the division.
