Dodgers News: Two More Scoreless Innings for Ohtani as Gradual Return Continues
LOS ANGELES — Shohei Ohtani made his second consecutive two-inning appearance on Saturday night, tossing a pair of scoreless frames against the Houston Astros. After returning to the mound last week in Kansas City for his first multi-inning outing since undergoing elbow surgery, this latest performance marked another incremental step in his pitching progression.
The Dodgers aren’t asking Ohtani to be a rotation workhorse this year. The goal is clear: a slow and measured ramp-up that could make him an option to be a starter later in the season. Saturday’s outing was another checkpoint.
First Inning: Light Contact, Quick Work
Ohtani gave up a leadoff single to Isaac Paredes—an opposite-field bloop that dropped in front of Kiké Hernández. But he quickly erased it by inducing a double play from Cam Smith on a 96.4 mph fastball. Jose Altuve followed by grounding out to shortstop Mookie Betts. Seven of Ohtani’s 10 pitches in the first inning were strikes.
Second Inning: Velocity and Swing-and-Miss Stuff
The second frame was more labor-intensive but also more telling. He got all three hitters into two-strike counts, but needed some work to put them away. Ohtani fell behind 3-0 to Christian Walker before reeling off four straight strikes, including multiple fastballs in the 97 mph range, to record his first strikeout of the day.
He then struck out Victor Caratini after a seven-pitch at-bat that featured a 100.9 mph fastball—the fastest pitch of Ohtani’s outing. He wrapped up the inning by striking out Yainer Diaz, which required seven pitches and mixing in his sweeper and slider to finish the job.
Final Line vs. Astros:
- 2.0 IP
- 1 H
- 0 R
- 0 BB
- 3 K
- 31 pitches (21 strikes)
Bigger Picture
Ohtani has now pitched six innings across four opening appearances over the past couple of weeks, all on at least five days’ rest. His lone earned run surrendered came in his first inning of work. Shohei’s ERA now sits at 1.50. So far, so good.
Still, the Dodgers are playing the long game. Ohtani’s appearances are about building endurance and tracking recovery—not headline moments. Saturday night was solid and uneventful, which is exactly what the team wants right now.
He’s expected to stay on a five- or six-day throwing schedule as the team evaluates how he bounces back after each outing. Whether or not he becomes a legitimate starter later in the season remains to be seen, but so far, each appearance has looked like a step forward.
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