In the final Spring Training game for the Los Angeles Dodgers, DH/SP Shohei Ohtani struck out 11 batters on 79 pitches, including striking out the side three innings in a row

In the final Spring Training game for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Shohei Ohtani gave fans something to be excited about.

During yesterday’s 3-0 Spring Training loss to the Los Angeles Angels, Ohtani pitched 4+ innings, striking out 11 Angels batters on 79 pitches. He struck out the side three innings in a row.

“The intensity was there, focus was there, and the execution, all that stuff was there,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “He’s ready to go.”

Shohei — the pitcher — looks ready to go!

11 strikeouts in 4+ innings for Ohtani 😤 pic.twitter.com/YocDJMLKgy

— MLB (@MLB) March 25, 2026

Ohtani began the game striking out shortstop Zach Neto on a 95 MPH sinker and then center fielder Mike Trout on a 97 MPH fastball. Ohtani allowed a single and a walk to start the second, but then struck out the next three batters, one from his fastball and two from his curve.

“Today he had his sinker working, he had the curveball working,” Roberts said. “Just [striking] lefties out, righties out with different pitches.”

In the third, Ohtani struck out infielder Oswald Peraza on a fastball before striking out Neto and Trout again, getting Neto on a fastball and Trout on a sweeper. Ohtani walked a man to start the fourth, but then got DH/outfielder Jorge Soler on a sweeper, infielder Jeimer Candelario on a curveball and outfielder Jo Adell on a fastball.

In the fifth inning, Ohtani allowed three straight singles, so Roberts removed him, ending Ohtani’s day. One thing to note is Ohtani’s velocity was lower in yesterday’s game, as his fastball averaged 96 MPH — 2 MPH slower than his previous start — and it dropped to 93-94 in the fifth.

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It remains to be seen how often Ohtani will be used on the mound, as Roberts said the team is going to feel it out throughout the season. That being said, the team has said all along that the plan is to use Ohtani as a regular starter throughout the year.

Before his injury, Ohtani pitched in most of 2023, where he made 23 starts and remained healthy in 2022, where he made 28 starts and placed fourth in Cy Young voting.

“I don’t think anyone knows how that’s going to look, but I think it’s safe to say that it’s not a situation of every sixth day, every seventh day he pitches,” Roberts said. “The desire is high. I think it’s realistic. Then the bigger question is: How are we going to manage that and navigate it?”