The Los Angeles Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani hits a three-run double during the third inning of a spring training game against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California, on March 22, 2026. (Kyodo)
ANAHEIM, California (Kyodo) — Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani will be the starting pitcher in their fifth game of the upcoming season on March 31 against the Cleveland Guardians, manager Dave Roberts said Sunday.
The 31-year-old Ohtani, preparing for his first full season on the mound since undergoing elbow surgery in September 2023, is expected to pitch in a spring training game on Tuesday.
Fellow Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki will start the Dodgers’ fourth game of the year next Monday against Cleveland, Roberts said.
In the Dodgers’ pitching rotation, right-handed ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto has been named the Opening Day starter for the second straight year, taking the mound in a home game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday.