Shohei Ohtani will return to the mound as the starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday in the opener of a four-game series against the visiting San Diego Padres, the team announced on Sunday night.

This will mark Ohtani’s first big league pitching appearance since Aug. 23, 2023, and his first with the Dodgers. The two-way star had Tommy John surgery in September 2023, three months before signing a 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers.

Ohtani was ramping up toward a return to the mound in June. On Tuesday, the right-hander threw 44 pitches over three simulated innings against minor leaguers from the Dodgers’ Arizona spring complex.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts originally told reporters on Sunday that Ohtani was set to pitch a simulated game in the coming days, but the team decided to give him the nod against the rival Padres on Monday.

“He’s getting very eager, very excited,” Roberts said. “I think the thought is that, given where we’re at right now, anything he can give us is additive, even if it’s an inning or two innings on the front end.”

Ohtani’s return couldn’t come at a better time for Los Angeles. Starters Roki Sasaki (right shoulder), Blake Snell (left shoulder) and Tyler Glasnow (right shoulder) are all on the injured list. Sasaki was recently forced to shut down his throwing program after feeling discomfort this week. There is no timetable for his return this season.

In total, the Dodgers have 14 pitchers on the injured list — the most in Major League Baseball.

Over his career in the majors, Ohtani is 38-19 with a 3.01 ERA in 86 career starts, all with the Los Angeles Angels. In 481 2/3 innings, he has compiled 608 strikeouts and 173 walks.

A three-time MVP, Ohtani is hitting .297 with 41 RBIs in 70 games this season, leading the National League with 25 home runs and a 1.035 OPS.

–Field Level Media