Los Angeles Dodgers told reporters on Sunday that Shohei Ohtani (30) will be the starting pitcher for Monday’s game against the division rival San Diego Padres.
Ohtani has been throwing live batting practice more consistently over the past three weeks, most recently on Tuesday prior to their game in San Diego.
The reigning National League MVP hasn’t pitched since 2023 after undergoing a revision procedure from his previous Tommy John surgery in 2018.
The club did not say, however, how long they plan to let Ohtani pitch for during his return.
The former pitcher has a lifetime 3.01 earned run average over five seasons on the bump, striking out 608 batters in 481.2 innings with opponents hitting just .200.
Ohtani is currently on pace for another possible MVP this year as he’s currently slashing .297/.393/.642 in 70 games.
His 25 home runs are the most in the NL and third most in all of baseball, just one behind Yankees’ Aaron Judge and Mariners’ Cal Raleigh.
Ohtani is the only player in the NL with an OPS over 1.000 (1.035), which is second to Judge’s 1.129.
