Ohtani Returns to Pitching, Leading All-Star Vote Ahead of 2025 Game

LOS ANGELES — Shohei Ohtani made his return to the mound on Monday night, pitching for the Los Angeles Dodgers and marking his first game appearance as both a pitcher and hitter since 2023. Ohtani faced the San Diego Padres, demonstrating impressive velocity but giving up one run over his single inning of work.

Ohtani, who has been undergoing rehabilitation for his right ulnar collateral ligament, reached speeds of 99.9 and 100.2 mph with his fastball during his appearance. He threw 28 pitches to record his first three outs, showcasing his two-way talent that has garnered him two MVP awards in the past.

Before hitting, Ohtani was aided by a towel to wipe off the sweat from his face and did not take any practice swings at the plate. He recorded a strikeout in his first at-bat, giving the crowd a taste of his potential resurgence.

The All-Star Game balloting process, now in its early stages, has also seen Ohtani excelling this season, earning 1,398,771 votes. Meanwhile, New York Yankees star Aaron Judge is leading with 1,568,527 votes, both players are front-runners for the July 15 game at Truist Field in Atlanta.

This year’s voting will conclude on June 26, which will determine the final two candidates at each position in both leagues. Fans are keen to see how Ohtani’s recovery and performance shape the All-Star roster.

As part of his pitching rehab, Ohtani is expected to make further starts to solidify his return to form. His past efforts have made him one of the most transformative players in Major League Baseball history.