Shohei Ohtani (Los Angeles Dodgers) could not fill his stomach on the first attempt.
Ohtani, on the 17th (Korea time), made his first appearance on the mound in 663 days since the game against the Cincinnati Reds on August 24, 2023, when he pitched as a starting pitcher and leadoff batter in the first game of a four-game home series against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California, for the 2025 Major League Baseball season, giving up a run in the first inning.
Ohtani, who returned to the mound after 663 days since his days with the Los Angeles Angels, met leadoff batter Fernando Tatis Jr. and showed a shaky start by giving up a bloop single. The sixth pitch he threw in a full count was a 99.1 mph (159 km/h) four-seam fastball that headed toward a vague spot in front of center fielder Andy Pahéz, who dove to make the play but came up short.
Ohtani also gave up a single to second batter Luis Arraez. The velocity on the fourth pitch reached 100.2 mph (161 km/h) in a favorable count of 1B-2S, but the fifth pitch, a low 98 mph (157 km/h) sinker in a 2B-2S count, became a hit, putting him in a no outs, 1st and 3rd base crisis.
Ohtani faced Manny Machado and, after a six-pitch battle, allowed a sacrifice fly to center field, trading his first out for his first run. He then recorded two consecutive outs by handling Gavin Sheets' ground ball to second base and Xander Bogaerts' ground ball to third base, preventing further scoring. He threw 28 pitches (16 strikes) in the first inning, which was somewhat high.
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