Dodgers Interview: Ohtani gives glimpse of two-way brilliance to come

QUEENS, NY — On Sunday at Citi Field, Shohei Ohtani gave fans a thrilling glimpse of the two-way superstar he’s working to become again. Just hours after pitching to live hitters for the first time since undergoing a second major surgery, Ohtani crushed a towering solo home run off his fellow countryman Kodai Senga in his first at-bat of the game.

It was a stirring moment in a long rehab process—but, fittingly for a frustrating weekend, it was also the only run the Dodgers would score in a 3-1 loss to the Mets.

Ohtani: “I Remember What It Feels Like to Be a Pitcher Again”

After the game, Ohtani met with reporters and expressed satisfaction with how he threw in the bullpen. “I felt like I took a good step forward,” he said in Japanese. “The content of the session was something I could be satisfied with.”

The velocity was promising—he touched 96-97 mph toward the end of the session but said he made a point not to push too hard. “I knew having a hitter in the box would naturally raise my intensity, so I tried not to overdo it on the velocity. But I did end up throwing a little harder than expected.”

He added that facing batters reminded him of his identity as a pitcher. “It’s been a while since I really pitched, so there was a part of me that had to remember that I do both,” he said with a smile.

Going forward, Ohtani hopes to continue throwing once a week, though he acknowledged that simulating live BP on the road is more difficult. “When we’re home, I can face minor leaguers or guys on rehab assignments,” he said. “That helps replicate real game situations.”

As for the process itself, Ohtani said he’s confident in this carefully structured approach. “I’ve done this before. As long as I can maintain pitch count and intensity, I think this format works well for me.”

A Homer Off Senga—and a Missed Opportunity

Just hours after pitching, Ohtani led off the top of the first inning against Senga and wasted no time announcing his presence with authority. On the second pitch of the game, he sent a fastball deep over the right-field wall—his 18th homer of the season.

“It was a good swing,” Ohtani said. “Especially after a busy day with the live BP. But I think it helped that I was already warmed up.”

Facing Senga, who he knows well, made the moment even more special. “We’re friends. It’s always fun to compete like that,” he said.

Still, Ohtani admitted there were at-bats later in the game he wished he could have back. “Yesterday I struck out three times, and even today I think there were chances to be more precise,” he said. “Those are moments I have to reflect on and try to improve.”

He acknowledged that with the bases loaded earlier in the game, the Dodgers had a real opportunity to shift momentum. “It was close. One more timely hit and the game might’ve been different,” he said.

Looking Ahead: Eyes Still on the Mound

When asked about the possibility of pitching in a game later this season, Ohtani didn’t make any declarations—but the hope is clearly there. “Of course I’m looking forward to it,” he said. “But nothing’s certain yet. I’m just following the plan, trying to get back to where I can help the team, and if I do that, then maybe the next step becomes possible.”

He emphasized that every checkpoint matters. “It’s still just one stage. But being on the mound again, getting in work like today—that’s meaningful.”

For now, Ohtani remains the Dodgers’ everyday DH, and an elite one at that. But Sunday’s performance served as a reminder of what makes him one of the most unique athletes in sports history.

A powerful home run. A live bullpen session. All in one day.

It’s easy to forget, after a quiet 3-1 loss, that something historic is quietly building in the background. Shohei Ohtani is almost back—and when he returns to full two-way form, the entire league will feel it.

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