Shohei Ohtani Turns Heads During Spring Training Pitching Debut
· Yahoo Sports
Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani was impressive in his first Spring Training pitching start as a member of the team.
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Ohtani last pitched in the Spring back in 2023, when he was on the Angels.
He tore his UCL, requiring Tommy John surgery later in the regular season, and he spent two years recovering from the procedure before taking the mound again at the midway point of the 2025 season.
This spring, however, he is fully healthy and took the mound against the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday.
Feb 21, 2026; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani against the Los Angeles Angels during a spring training game at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn ImagesOhtani totaled 4.1 innings, throwing four strikeouts in 61 pitches and allowing just a single hit. He walked two batters and failed to capitalize on some strikeout chances, but it was an overall majestic performance from him.
His fastball topped out at 99 mph, though it averaged just 97.6 mph. He was pitching much harder in 2025, and with Cy Young pressure on his shoulders, Ohtani will likely be pumping pure 100+ mph gas at opposing hitters.
Manager Dave Roberts — understandably — was left more than happy with Ohtani’s outing.
“He’s one of our best pitchers,” Roberts said. “And for him to have a foundation, being past the surgery, with what he did last year, knowing that he can take down starts in the mid-20s, it just makes us better. And I know that’s what he’s expecting from himself.”
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