Dodgers just deliberately took aim at Padres with Shohei Ohtani pitching update

Shohei Ohtani, the game's most beloved protagonist, has not pitched in a Major League Baseball game in almost two years. He has not toed the rubber since his days with the Los Angeles Angels back in 2023, and now, he is set to make his Dodgers pitching debut...and it will be against the Padres. Because, well, of course it will be.

Ohtani, 30, last appeared in a game on the mound on August 23, 2023 against the Cincinnati Reds. He lasted 1 1/3 innings before needing a second repair on his UCL, which has turned him into a full-time designated hitter since then.

Ohtani has pitched in a few simulated games, so he will be expected to likely only go one time through the Padres' batting order. It makes sense that Los Angeles would save his return for a start against the Friars, their division rival who sits three games back of the Dodgers ahead the four-game series in Hollywood. The Dodgers just took two of three games against the Padres last week, so this latest update is a gut punch for San Diego.

Ohtani's return to the mound also comes when the Padres' offense is struggling. San Diego was hopeful of beating up on a Dodger pitching staff that is hurting mightily with injuries to Roki Sasaki, Tyler Glasnow, and Tony Gonsolin. Instead, they will be greeted by none other than the three-time Most Valuable Player.

Ohtani has one career outing against the Padres. He faced the Friars on July 4, 2023 in San Diego and surrendered five runs on seven hits and four walks across five innings. The Padres won that game, 8-5 behind home runs from Xander Bogaerts and Jake Cronenworth off of Ohtani.

Ohtani owns a career 3.01 ERA in 86 starts with an 11.9 K/9 and a fourth-place Cy Young Award finish in 2022.

Dylan Cease (2-5), 4.28 ERA, 96 strikeouts is set to oppose Ohtani for a 7:10 PDT start.