Ohtani will start and pitch an inning or two and also bat leadoff as the designated hitter against the San Diego Padres on Monday night in the series opener. The first three batters he'll face are Fernando Tatis Jr., Luis Arráez and Manny Machado.
“I think I got the best seat in the house to watch it and to watch this guy start and then take an at-bat,” Roberts said. “This is bananas. I'm thrilled.”
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The Japanese right-hander has been throwing simulated games recently in preparation for his return while still wielding his powerful bat in the lineup. Typically, pitchers returning from injuries go on minor league rehab assignments, but Ohtani is an exception.
“You've got to hear the player and trust the player,” Roberts said.
Roberts briefly considered not having Ohtani bat leadoff, but the slugger assured his manager he was fine with it.
“It could change going forward,” Roberts said, “but right now he feels very comfortable with taking the mound and coming in the dugout and getting on his stuff to go take an at-bat.”
The three-time MVP is batting .290 with 25 homers, which leads the National League, 41 RBIs and 11 stolen bases in the leadoff spot.
While Ohtani won't be throwing deep into the game, just his presence on the mound figures to bolster a staff that has been decimated by injuries. The Dodgers have eight starters, including Tyler Glasnow, Blake Snell and Japanese phenom Roki Sasaki, and six relievers on the injured list.
Roberts said he and the coaches will be watching Ohtani’s command, delivery, and ability to repeat his mechanics.
Since Ohtani is already on the roster as the designated hitter, the Dodgers are essentially adding an extra pitcher without having to make a corresponding roster move.
“It's not going to be a once-every-five-day situation, so there's going to be plenty of time to recover,” Roberts said. “We also have the luxury of pitching him as much as we want as far as in a particular outing.”
Ohtani helped the Dodgers win their eighth World Series title — and his first — last season, the first of a $700 million, 10-year contract.
He hasn't pitched since 2023 with the Los Angeles Angels. He was 10-5 with a 3.14 ERA and 167 strikeouts in 23 starts that season. His last mound appearance was on Aug. 23, 2023, when he got hurt during an outing against Cincinnati.
Ohtani had Tommy John surgery on Oct. 1, 2018, and is recovering from a second significant right elbow surgery on Sept. 19, 2023.
As a pitcher, Ohtani has a 3.01 ERA and 608 strikeouts in 481 2/3 innings during his major league career.
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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Credit: AP
Credit: AP