Dodgers Interview: Ohtani reveals reason for new arm angle

LOS ANGELES — Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium marked a monumental step in Shohei Ohtani’s historic two-way journey, as he returned to the pitcher’s mound for the first time in over 650 days. The 28-pitch first inning wasn’t just a stat line—it was a testament to perseverance, adaptation, and the unshakable resolve of one of baseball’s most extraordinary talents.

After the game, Ohtani opened up to reporters about his mechanics, emotions, and what it meant to finally take the mound in a Dodgers uniform in front of a packed home crowd.

A New Arm Angle and a Fresh Approach

Ohtani noted that there were mechanical changes to his delivery, specifically a lower arm angle than before. But rather than an intentional overhaul, he explained it was more of a natural result of syncing his upper and lower body during rehab.

In his Q&A with the Japanese media (standard after English-language questions), Ohtani said that the reason for the change was “due to better coordination with my lower body. At this stage, we felt that lowering the angle would give us the best results, so it happened naturally.”

He emphasized that he wasn’t obsessing over mechanics but instead focused on arm speed and letting the ball go freely. “My arm was moving faster than I expected, maybe even ahead of my body at times,” he said. “That might be why some of the pitches tailed a bit more to the glove side.”

Blocking Out the Noise—Sort Of

Pitching for the first time in a Dodgers uniform at Dodger Stadium could have been overwhelming, especially given the standing ovation he received. But Ohtani said he was so locked in on the batter that the crowd faded into the background—at least for now.

“Honestly, I was so locked in on the batter that I didn’t really have time to take it all in,” he admitted. “I was probably a little too focused. Hopefully next time, I’ll be a bit more relaxed and able to appreciate the atmosphere more.”

A True Two-Way Day

Ohtani’s return to the mound was only part of the story. He also made his presence felt at the plate, recording two hits and driving in two runs—essentially canceling out the two runs he gave up on the mound in the top of the inning.

“It felt like I was able to erase the damage I did on the mound with my bat,” Ohtani said with a smile. “In the end, I think that makes the night a positive one overall.”

Picking the Right Return Path

Ohtani acknowledged that there had been two main options for how to return to competitive pitching: either stretch things out during live BP sessions until he could go 4–5 innings, or jump into short, high-intensity appearances in real games. He and the Dodgers opted for the latter.

“I think both approaches had their merits,” Ohtani said. “But given the team’s situation and my own condition, we decided this was the smoother route.”

That decision allowed Ohtani to experience game-level intensity without overextending himself physically. Tuesday’s single inning was a carefully calculated move to build toward longer outings.

FULL TRANSLATION OF INTERVIEW:

Q: Your arm angle seemed noticeably lower today. Was that intentional?

A: Yeah, it changed quite a bit. My arm slot dropped, and that was mainly due to better coordination with my lower body. At this stage, we felt that lowering the angle would give us the best results, so it happened naturally.

Q: Was that related to the pitch selection today?

A: I was throwing mostly sinkers, and that naturally leads to a lower arm angle compared to a splitter or four-seam. I think that had an effect. But I’m not overly focused on the mechanics. Actually, my arm was moving a bit faster than usual today, so I think that’s why a lot of pitches ended up more on the glove side than I expected.

Q: This was your first time pitching in a game at Dodger Stadium. What was it like standing on that mound, especially with the fans giving you a standing ovation?

A: Honestly, I was so locked in on the batter that I didn’t really have time to take it all in. I was probably a little too focused. Hopefully next time, I’ll be a bit more relaxed and able to appreciate the atmosphere more.

Q: You also got two hits and drove in a run, essentially erasing your own deficit. How did it feel to be back playing as a two-way player?

A: I gave up a run, but I drove in two, and I got through the inning. If you look at the whole game, I’d say it was a net positive. Overall, it felt like a good performance for me.

Q: It was a short outing, but did it feel like the right moment to take this step and pitch in a real game?

A: Yes, especially considering the team’s situation. I think it was the right move for me, too. It felt like the smoother path forward. There were two options: keep building up in live BPs until I could go four or five innings, or start with short outings like today at full game intensity. We decided to go with the latter.

A Symbolic and Successful Start

While Ohtani didn’t record a strikeout and allowed two hits and a run, the night was never about dominance—it was about taking the first step in a comeback nearly two years in the making. His command wasn’t perfect, but his velocity and presence on the mound reminded everyone of what he is capable of becoming once again.

The Dodger faithful certainly recognized the moment. The standing ovation he received stepping off the mound and the energy that buzzed through Chavez Ravine were clear signs that Ohtani’s journey is as thrilling for the fans as it is for him.

As the Dodgers continue to monitor his progress, Ohtani’s path back to being a full two-way force is officially underway. And Tuesday night proved that even a single inning can mean everything.

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