Ohtani Struck by Pitch in Fiery Dodgers Return

Shohei Ohtani returned to pitch one inning for the Dodgers against the Padres, marking his first appearance since elbow surgery, and is scheduled to start as an opener against the Nationals on Sunday as the team gradually ramps up his workload. During the game, Ohtani was hit by a pitch in the knee, which led to benches clearing and the ejection of Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, intensifying the longstanding rivalry with the Padres. Roberts has outlined a flexible rotation to carefully manage Ohtani's recovery and responsibilities. Despite the dual workload concerns, Ohtani continues to lead the National League in several offensive categories and is a leading MVP candidate. Baseball figures such as Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez have publicly urged caution regarding Ohtani's pitching role to ensure his long-term health. The Dodgers, currently coping with other pitching injuries, view Ohtani's return as both a competitive boost and a situation requiring careful management.