.jpg)
6 hours ago
1
Anticipation is building up for the Los Angeles Dodgers, who are in a dogfight in the National League West Division. The San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants are hot on the defending champs' heels, currently sitting at 43-29.
Fortunately, for Los Angeles, Shohei Ohtani's 2025 pitching debut will be a massive upgrade to the starting rotation. The two-way superstar already had an MVP season with the franchise in 2024 but has not taken the mound, spending the year recovering from Tommy John surgery.
The 30-year-old is expected to pitch tonight against the San Diego Padres, and his teammates are just as excited as the fans. That includes Dodgers legend Clayton Kershaw. In an interview with Los Angeles Times reporter Dylan Hernández, the future Hall of Famer detailed how anticipation has been building in the clubhouse for this moment.
“I think we all are (hyped for Ohtani’s debut),” Kershaw said. “I think as fans of the game and just seeing him day in and day out get ready to pitch and do both, it’s going to be really fun, whether it’s one inning or whatever it is.”
Ohtani’s pitching debut comes at an ideal time for the Dodgers, who have suffered multiple injuries to their starting rotation. The headline absences have been from two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell and 2024 All-Star Tyler Glasnow, who are both nursing shoulder injuries and expected to return during the summer.
At full strength, the Dodgers have one of the best rotations in the league. Overall, this team is built to repeat, and it all starts with its generational, two-way superstar. Now, Ohtani can showcase the full scope of his talent amid another phenomenal season at the plate.
Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp
More MLB: Last time Shohei Ohtani pitched: Revisiting the 2023 injury and timeline for return to mound
English (US)