by Shohei Ohtani returned to De Heuvel on Sunday for his second start ever as a pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
It was a strong effort in another abbreviated outing for the two-way star, who brought himself back to a normal pitching load after a UCL operation in 2023.
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Ohtani made his pitching debut for the Dodgers last Monday in a start of one inning that resulted in two hits and one earned run in a 4-3 victory over the San Diego Padres. He improved against the Washington Nationals on Sunday.
Sunday’s outing was also limited to a few inning. But Ohtani did not allow a hit while recording his first two strikeouts in a Dodgers uniform.
The inning started an efficient start for Ohtani, which caused a first-pitch groundout from Lead-Off Hitter CJ Abrams. Projected All-Star James Wood made Ohtani work as the second batter of the day and first reached an error of an error by Outfielder Mookie Betts on a 2-2 count. Wood was the only batter that reached the basis of Ohtani.
Ohtani worked No. 3 Slagman Luis Garcia Jr. on a 2-2 count. He then led a swinging blow three on a sweeping machine that sank low and inside. Garcia tried to check his swing, but failed and was called.
Ohtani was then confronted with cleaning up Hitter Nathaniel Lowe. He threw a splitter in the dirt that got away from catcher Dalton who hurried, which made Wood continue to the second. But Wood would not get any further.
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At the seventh pitch of the battling with a 2-2 count, Ohtani threw an 88 mph Snijder that wiped over the plate low and outside. Lowe waved and missed and went back to the dugout with an inning-ending strikeout, Ohtani’s second of the day.
It turned out to be the last field of Ohtani, when manager Dave Roberts Ohtani on the hill replaced by Ben Casparis for the second inning.
Ohtani threw 18 throws, including 12 strikes with two winding strikeouts and no walks, hits or runs allowed. His fastball filled 99 km / h when he threw an arsenal of pitches in which his cutter, wipe machine and splitter were also.
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It was an encouraging outing for the triple All-Star Werster who has not treated a complete load on the hill since 23 August 2023 when he was a member of the Los Angeles Angels. Since that start for the angels, Ohtani underwent an operation to repair the ulnar collateral in his right elbow for the second time. He previously underwent Tommy John operation in 2018.
He joined the Dodgers as a free agent the next low season and had an MVP outing on the plate during a World Series Championship season for the Dodgers. He returned to the hill last week after a resignation of pitching of almost two years.
The Dodgers have returned Ohtani with Bullpen and Batting Practice sessions. They now limit his time on the hill as a starter in the hope of increasing his workload as the season progresses as they look for a second consecutive World Series title.
The pitching -comeback for Ohtani seems to be planning by two outings.
