In his highly anticipated Los Angeles Dodgers debut, Shohei Ohtani faced the San Diego Padres on Monday, 21 months after undergoing elbow surgery. Ohtani threw 28 pitches in the first inning, clocking a standout fastball at 100.2 mph. Although he gave up two hits and one run, he displayed determination on the mound, despite appearing to labor slightly under the pressure.
After completing the inning, Ohtani immediately transitioned to batting, tying the game with an RBI double later on. Dodgers’ manager Dave Roberts expressed excitement about Ohtani’s return, emphasizing the collective anticipation within the team and among fans.
Ohtani’s first inning included facing prominent hitters, with Tatis Jr. and Machado among those contributing to the Padres’ scoring. Despite not pitching long, he was replaced in the second inning by Anthony Banda. Ohtani’s presence on the mound was considered a significant boost to a Dodgers rotation affected by injuries, as the team grapples with managing his dual capabilities.
General manager Brandon Gomes noted the unique situation of Ohtani undertaking both pitching and hitting responsibilities simultaneously, indicating ongoing conversations about balancing workload and performance. Roberts pointed out Ohtani’s comfort in switching between roles, and the team aims to ensure he remains effective throughout the season while keeping an eye on his recovery.
Ohtani’s ability to contribute as a designated hitter, alongside recent performance stats of .290 batting with 25 homers, illustrates his importance. The Dodgers hope to leverage his skills as they aim for a strong postseason run, mindful of the need to preserve his health on the mound for future games.
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