Dodgers Interview: Gomes stoked for Ohtani’s return to the mound

LOS ANGELES — When Shohei Ohtani takes the mound Monday night against the San Diego Padres, it won’t just mark a key moment for the Dodgers—it will signal the next step in one of the most closely managed comeback stories in modern baseball. Ahead of the two-way superstar’s return to pitching, Dodgers GM Brandon Gomes spoke to reporters and laid out the context, strategy, and excitement behind the decision.

“It’s a big day,” Gomes said. “Since we’ve been watching Sho from afar, and now having him here, it’s been such an amazing thing that he can do both. Knowing what he’s gone through, how hard he’s worked—it’s incredibly exciting to finally see him take the mound here.”

A Carefully Orchestrated Comeback

Ohtani’s return has been meticulously planned, with Gomes describing an “ongoing conversation” between the player, medical staff, coaches, and front office. “This is such a unique scenario. There’s no playbook for it,” Gomes emphasized. “So it had to be a free-flowing discussion. The most important thing was making sure Shohei was the one driving the process.”

In recent weeks, as Ohtani ramped up with bullpens and live batting practice sessions, the idea of transitioning him back into real game action became increasingly viable. “Only in the last week or so did it feel real,” Gomes said. “His stuff looked great—movement, command, the combination of pitches—all very encouraging. We felt like we reached a point where finishing the rehab at the Major League level made sense, especially with how taxing pregame simulations had become.”

Managing the Risk

The most obvious question remains: how do you manage a player who’s both one of the league’s most dangerous hitters and a recovering pitcher coming off a second Tommy John surgery?

“We’re going to be incredibly cautious at every step,” Gomes said. “So much of this is about making sure his legs aren’t too taxed, that we’re not taking anything away from his performance at the plate. It’s about taking small bites—incremental progress—and evaluating how he feels each time.”

For now, Ohtani will pitch short stints as a starter, beginning Monday night with what is expected to be one or two innings. Though some might label it an “opener” role, Gomes dismissed that framing. “He’s just starting the game. We’re not thinking about this in traditional opener terms. It’s just a natural way to ease him back in.”

When asked whether this could evolve into a regular weekly pitching schedule or even more frequent outings, Gomes remained flexible. “Let’s see how tonight goes. We’ll talk with him after and go from there. These are ‘free innings’—meaning they’re additive—so we’ll take whatever he can give.”

Long-Term Vision: October and Beyond

The Dodgers are playing the long game with Ohtani, with October clearly in focus. “The main goal is to have him strong for the stretch run and the postseason,” Gomes said. “We don’t want to redline him too early. We’ll have those conversations after each outing to ensure that guiding light remains intact.”

Gomes acknowledged that pitching always carries risk, especially for a player of Ohtani’s importance. “That’s true for anyone,” he said. “But he’s been through a full rehab. He feels good. And he wants to do this for a long time. That mindset is critical.”

Respect for the Grind

While Ohtani’s raw talent is obvious, Gomes admitted that going through this process has deepened the organization’s appreciation for his commitment and workload.

“It really hit me in Arizona,” Gomes recalled. “He hits a home run one night, and then the next day he’s throwing an up-down bullpen session. Electric stuff. Talking about pitch movement. It’s insane. There’s no one like him. And we’re all fans of the game, too, so it’s just a joy to watch.”

As for whether the added pitching workload will require more off days from hitting, Gomes said it will be monitored closely. “We’ll keep communicating. If there’s a day he needs off, we’ll give it to him. But for now, the plan is to carry on as we have.”

Bottom Line: “It’s Time to Do It”

Ohtani himself was instrumental in the timing. According to Gomes, “He was very excited” when told he’d officially be returning to pitch. “He’s been antsy to get back out there. And after the conversations we’ve had—about keeping the big picture in mind, not just this year but long-term—we feel like it’s time.”

Ohtani’s outing Monday night won’t be about innings or pitch count as much as it is about possibility. It’s a landmark night for the Dodgers and their fans, but also a cautious step toward seeing Ohtani fully return as the two-way phenom he was signed to be.

“There’s no one like Shohei,” Gomes concluded. “And now it’s time to let him go do what he does.”

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