March 25, 2026<\/a><\/p>\nOhtani 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cToday he had his sinker working, he had the curveball working,\u201d Roberts said. \u201cJust [striking] lefties out, righties out with different pitches.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
In the fifth inning, Ohtani allowed three straight singles, so Roberts removed him, ending Ohtani\u2019s day. One thing to note is Ohtani\u2019s velocity was lower in yesterday\u2019s game, as his fastball averaged 96 MPH \u2014 2 MPH slower than his previous start \u2014 and it dropped to 93-94 in the fifth.<\/p>\n
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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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think anyone knows how that\u2019s going to look, but I think it\u2019s safe to say that it\u2019s not a situation of every sixth day, every seventh day he pitches,\u201d Roberts said. \u201cThe desire is high. I think it\u2019s realistic. Then the bigger question is: How are we going to manage that and navigate it?\u201d<\/p>\n