Shohei Ohtani returns to pitching: Dodgers star back on mound ...
MLB's two-way superstar will serve as the Dodgers' opener on Monday against the Padres
www.cbssports.comHere’s the latest I can share based on recent reports:
- Shohei Ohtani was hit by a pitch in early April 2026 and played through the discomfort, but in mid-April 2026 he pitched while being held out as the designated hitter due to soreness in his right shoulder area. He pitched effectively in that outing, with 10 strikeouts, while not batting that game. This was described as a positive step in focusing on pitching, with the team hoping the soreness would pass. [Source: AP via multiple outlets, April 16, 2026 reporting on Dodgers game and Ohtani’s status]
- Earlier incidents in 2024–2025 involving Ohtani being hit by pitches led to X-ray evaluations that came back negative and did not require him to leave the lineup long-term. Managers publicly stated he was fine after those events, though some episodes caused temporary shifts in role (e.g., pitcher-only outings or DH limitations) [Sources: Kyodo News 2024, MLB/Dodgers coverage 2025–2026].
If you’d like, I can pull in the most up-to-date headlines from today and summarize any new developments, with links. I can also provide a quick timeline of notable HBP (hit-by-pitch) incidents affecting Ohtani and how the Dodgers managed his workload during those periods. Would you like that?