Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter-pitcher Shohei Ohtani will begin his ramp-up on the pitching side as the season opener nears.
With his return from the World Baseball Classic, Shohei Ohtani is ready to get back to work on the pitcher's mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Ohtani's 2026 campaign will be a first of its kind in a Dodgers uniform, as he will begin this season as not only as a designated hitter, but a pitcher as well.
He began his pitching prowess with the Dodgers in June 2025.
He's pitched in a handful of bullpen sessions throughout the beginning of Dodgers camp, including some live bullpens as well. Before departing for the WBC, it had been announced by Dodgers manager Dave Roberts that Ohtani would not pitch for Samurai Japan.
Despite not pitching in the WBC, he was sent off with a planned pitching regimen to keep him on track to pitch once Opening Day arrives.
Ohtani completed a four-inning live bullpen session against his fellow countrymen and showed promise, striking out seven on nearly 60 pitches.
Now returning from Miami after Samurai Japan's defeat in the quarterfinals, Ohtani is back at Camelback Ranch, ramping up his pitching progression.
He would begin this process by participating in a touch-and-feel type of bullpen session on Tuesday afternoon.
Roberts stated on Tuesday afternoon that Ohtani would make his first Spring Training start on Wednesday against the San Francisco Giants.
“I think three to four [innings] is fair for tomorrow,” Roberts said regarding the length of Ohtani's first Cactus League start. “It’s more of just doing what we can with what we have left to get him ready for the season."
He added on by saying that Ohtani would act as the DH against the San Diego Padres this Friday and will partake in one more start during the Dodgers Freeway Series against the Los Angeles Angels.
The last time Ohtani started a game on the mound was in Game 7 of the World Series against the Toronto Blue Jays.
Since the start of camp, the Dodgers had always eyed Ohtani being in the starting rotation. But they've always stated that his ramp-up to pitch like an everyday starter would be a slow process.
Ohtani is expected to begin the season on a three-to-four-inning limit before the restrictions can be taken off of him. Still, it will all depend on how the starting rotation will look later down the road.
The pitching depth the Dodgers possess gives Ohtani a bit of leg room to work his way as a full-time starter. This could also be said for Blake Snell, who is working his way back to the starting rotation as well.
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