Shohei Ohtani is returning to the mound. Ohtani will pitch on Monday, serving as the Dodgers starter against the Padres for his first pitching appearance since 2023. Ohtani, who had elbow surgery nearly two years ago, will pitch as an opener, per manager Dave Roberts. He recently threw 44 pitches in a simulated game.

Shohei Ohtani will return to the mound as the starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday in the opener of a four-game series against the visiting San Diego Padres, the team announced on Sunday night.

In the last season that he pitched in 2023, Ohtani had a 3.13 ERA, a 1.06 WHIP and a 10-5 record, helping him earn a second AL MVP. Unfortunately, his season on the mound was cut short as he underwent surgery for a UCL tear in his right elbow in September. Since then, he's been on the road to recovery.