Shohei Ohtani touches 100 mph in electric 2025 pitching debut for Dodgers
Shohei Ohtani, the Los Angeles Dodgers' two-way superstar, returned to the mound in a thrilling performance on June 16, 2025, against the San Diego Padres. After nearly two years sidelined by elbow surgery, his electric pitching debut, reaching 100.2 mph, captivated fans.
This article explores his triumphant return.
Shohei Ohtani's blazing return to pitching
Ohtani made his long-awaited pitching debut for the Dodgers at a sold-out Dodger Stadium and threw a 100.2 mph fastball. The 3 time MVP hadn't pitched since August 2023 due to a second elbow surgery and allowed 1 run on 2 hits in 1 inning. He was a bit wild, but his velocity was ridiculous with 14 pitches at 98 mph or higher.
— Dodgers (@Dodgers)
Fans went wild as he took the mound to Michael Bublé's 'Feeling Good' for his first Dodgers pitching appearance.
Ohtani said he was nervous, but the game intensity made him throw harder than his target of 95-96 mph. He allowed singles to Fernando Tatis Jr. and Luis Arraez and a sacrifice fly, but induced ground balls to get out of further trouble. His 28-pitch inning showed flashes of ace stuff and got the Dodgers fans excited.
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"It's going to be really fun": Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw can't wait to see Shohei Ohtani pitch tonight against Padres
A historic two-way performance
Ohtani's return wasn't just about pitching; he also shone at the plate, going 2-for-4 with two RBIs.
After his inning on the mound, he immediately batted leadoff, striking out against Padres starter Dylan Cease but later hitting a game-tying double in the third. This marked the 12th time he's started as a pitcher and batted leadoff, a rare feat not seen since 1901 by any other player more than once.
Ohtani's 79 career home runs with the Dodgers surpassed Don Drysdale's franchise record for a pitcher. His two-way ability, a hallmark of his 'unicorn' status, amazed teammates like Max Muncy, who noted the challenge of pitching and hitting in the same game. Ohtani plans to pitch weekly, aiming to increase his innings to ease the bullpen's load. With the Dodgers' rotation plagued by injuries, his return as a two-way player offers hope for a strong 2025 season.
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