• Shohei Ohtani will pitch for the Dodgers against the Padres after a lengthy recovery.
• This marks Ohtani's first pitching appearance since August 2023.
• The Dodgers are managing multiple injuries within their pitching staff.
• Ohtani has an impressive hitting record this season, leading the NL with 25 home runs.
• Dodgers manager Dave Roberts expresses excitement over Ohtani's return to the mound.

Shohei Ohtani is set to make his highly anticipated return to the mound as the starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers against the San Diego Padres. This event will mark Ohtani's first big league pitching appearance since August 23, 2023, following his recovery from elbow surgery that included Tommy John surgery in September 2023. The announcement came soon after the Dodgers’ victory over the San Francisco Giants, where manager Dave Roberts expressed, “There’s been a lot of anticipation,” indicating excitement for Ohtani's return, according to SFGATE, Los Angeles Times, and Reuters.

Ohtani's role as the starting pitcher is expected to begin as an opener, likely throwing one or two innings as he eases back into pitching. Roberts remarked on Ohtani's eagerness, stating he is “getting very eager, very excited," further emphasizing the significance of this return amid the Dodgers' current injury struggles. Ohtani's presence on the mound comes at a crucial time, as the Dodgers are coping with injuries to multiple pitchers, including Roki Sasaki and Blake Snell, who are both on the injured list, according to SFGATE, Los Angeles Times, and Reuters.

Throughout his career prior to this injury, Ohtani has maintained a 38-19 record with a 3.01 ERA across 86 starts, accumulating 608 strikeouts. Last season, while primarily focused on hitting, he achieved remarkable statistics, including a .310 batting average, 54 home runs, and 130 RBIs in just 2024. Currently, Ohtani is batting .297 with 41 RBIs and leads the National League with 25 home runs and a 1.035 OPS, highlighting his dual-threat capability and his impact on the Dodgers' offensive lineup, according to SFGATE, Los Angeles Times, and Reuters.

As Ohtani prepares for his opening game against the Padres, the Dodgers' management remains optimistic about how he will contribute on the mound despite the limited innings expected initially. The increased anticipation surrounding his first start is palpable among team members and fans alike, showcasing the star player's pivotal role in both his return and the Dodgers' overall strategy moving forward in the season. Roberts emphasized that “anything he can give us is additive,” underlining the importance of Ohtani's comeback amid the team's pitching challenges, based on information from SFGATE, Los Angeles Times, and Reuters.