Shohei Ohtani makes pitching return, leads Dodgers over Padres

Shohei Ohtani made his pitching return for the Los Angeles Dodgers after nearly two years, throwing one inning with a fastball reaching over 100 mph and allowing one run on a sacrifice fly. Despite the early run, Ohtani contributed significantly at the plate, driving in two runs with a double and a single, helping the Dodgers to a 6-3 victory over the San Diego Padres. This game marked Ohtani's first pitching appearance since his second Tommy John surgery in 2023, with Dodgers manager Dave Roberts expecting Ohtani to increase his innings gradually. Ohtani became the third National League player since 1900 to start as both pitcher and leadoff hitter, showcasing his unique two-way skill set. The Dodgers' offense capitalized on Padres starter Dylan Cease, who gave up six runs, while Ohtani's pitching displayed promising use of a sinker, a pitch he rarely threw before. The Dodgers used seven pitchers in total, with Ben Casparius earning the win and Kirby Yates securing the save.