Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani Set for Next Pitching Start

Ohtani to face Toronto Blue Jays on April 8 after strong season debut

Apr. 2, 2026 at 3:23am

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Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts announced that two-way star Shohei Ohtani will make his next pitching start against the Toronto Blue Jays on April 8. Ohtani tossed six shutout innings in his season debut on Tuesday, earning a 4-1 decision over the Cleveland Indians.

Why it matters

Ohtani's dual role as both a starting pitcher and power hitter makes him one of the most unique and valuable players in Major League Baseball. His continued success on the mound is crucial for the Dodgers as they aim to contend for a World Series title.

The details

In his season debut, Ohtani dominated the Cleveland Indians, throwing six scoreless innings while only allowing three hits. However, manager Dave Roberts noted that Ohtani started to fatigue towards the end of his outing, indicating the Dodgers will closely monitor his workload going forward.

  • Ohtani's next pitching start is scheduled for April 8 against the Toronto Blue Jays.
  • Ohtani earned a 4-1 decision over the Cleveland Indians in his season debut on Tuesday.

The players

Shohei Ohtani

A two-way star for the Los Angeles Dodgers, excelling as both a starting pitcher and power hitter.

Dave Roberts

The manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers, who announced Ohtani's next pitching start.

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What they’re saying

“Obviously, in that last inning, the mound started to get to him a little bit,”

— Dave Roberts, Dodgers Manager

The takeaway

Ohtani's continued dominance on the mound is crucial for the Dodgers' World Series aspirations, as his unique dual-threat abilities make him one of the most valuable players in baseball.