Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani Set for 1st Spring Pitching Appearance

Ohtani to pitch against Giants, DH against Padres as he prepares for opening day

Mar. 17, 2026 at 11:33pm

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Shohei Ohtani, the Los Angeles Dodgers' two-way star, is scheduled to make his first pitching appearance of spring training on Wednesday against the San Francisco Giants. Ohtani will also serve as the designated hitter in Friday's game against the San Diego Padres as he works to get ready for the start of the regular season on March 26.

Why it matters

Ohtani's performance on the mound and at the plate will be crucial to the Dodgers' success this season as they look to defend their World Series title. His ability to excel as both a pitcher and hitter makes him one of the most unique and valuable players in Major League Baseball.

The details

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Ohtani will likely pitch 3-4 innings against the Giants on Wednesday. The plan is for Ohtani to make one more preseason start against the Los Angeles Angels on either March 23 or 24, which means his first regular-season start may not come until the team's second series against the Cleveland Guardians. Ohtani had a 2.87 ERA over 14 regular-season starts last season and went 2-1 with a 4.43 ERA in the postseason, helping the Dodgers win their second straight World Series title.

  • Ohtani is scheduled to make his first spring training pitching appearance on Wednesday, March 22, 2026.
  • Ohtani will serve as the designated hitter in the Dodgers' game against the San Diego Padres on Friday, March 24, 2026.
  • Ohtani is expected to make one more preseason start against the Los Angeles Angels on either March 23 or 24, 2026.

The players

Shohei Ohtani

A two-way star for the Los Angeles Dodgers who excels as both a pitcher and hitter. Ohtani is a four-time Most Valuable Player and helped the Dodgers win the World Series in 2025.

Dave Roberts

The manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers, who is overseeing Ohtani's preparation for the upcoming season.

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What they’re saying

“I think three to four (innings) is fair for tomorrow. It's more of just doing what we can with what we have left to get him ready for the season. He did his part when he was with Team Japan and now you're putting him in against real competition, build him up there, and try to get as much buildup before the season starts.”

— Dave Roberts, Dodgers Manager (abc7.com)

What’s next

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The takeaway

Shohei Ohtani's performance on the mound and at the plate will be crucial to the Dodgers' success this season as they look to defend their World Series title. His ability to excel as both a pitcher and hitter makes him one of the most unique and valuable players in Major League Baseball.