Shohei Ohtani Shines in Dodgers Spring Debut, Eyes Full Season on the Mound
GLENDALE, Ariz. — Shohei Ohtani, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ right-hander, delivered an impressive performance in his spring training debut on Wednesday, showcasing his pitching prowess against the San Francisco Giants. Ohtani reached 99 mph with his fastball, striking out Willy Adames during a dominant outing.
Scoreless Innings and Impressive Stats
Ohtani pitched 4 ⅓ scoreless innings, allowing just one hit, two walks, and hitting one batter whereas recording four strikeouts. He threw a total of 61 pitches, with 34 strikes. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts expressed satisfaction with Ohtani’s performance, noting the potential for further refinement as he gains more regular pitching experience.
“The stuff was really excellent — it’s going to get more crisp as he gets out there and gets regular pitching,” Roberts said. “But, man, it was really good. He knows he only has a couple outings before the start of the season, so he was focused. To have him touch the fifth inning was a huge win for us.”
Unfazed by the Heat
Despite record-high temperatures in Arizona, approaching 38 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit) at Camelback Ranch, Ohtani remained unfazed. He efficiently navigated the first inning with just five pitches.
Ohtani’s Reflections on His Performance
Ohtani expressed satisfaction with his pitch count and identified an area for improvement in his next outing. “I was pretty happy with the pitch count today,” Ohtani said through an interpreter. “In terms of the next outing, I do want to be better at executing on two-strike counts…. I just didn’t finish hitters as much as I wanted to.”
Road to Recovery and Future Plans
This spring debut marks a significant step in Ohtani’s return to pitching after recovering from an elbow injury that sidelined him as a pitcher for the 2024 season. He underwent live batting practice sessions with the Dodgers before joining Team Japan for the World Baseball Classic, where he participated solely as a designated hitter. His last competitive pitching appearance was in Game 7 of the 2023 World Series.
Roberts anticipates Ohtani will have one more preseason start next week before the regular season begins on March 26. Ohtani aims to complete his first full season on the mound since 2022, when he achieved a 15-9 record with a 2.33 ERA in 28 starts with the Los Angeles Angels. He posted a 2.87 ERA in 14 regular-season starts in 2025, contributing to the Dodgers’ consecutive World Series titles.