Dodgers manager Dave Roberts candidly discusses the potential of Shohei Ohtani's pitching career
In a thrilling outing on his 31st birthday, Shohei Ohtani demonstrated his progress as he returns to elite pitching levels, showcasing his two-way superstar potential for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
On July 5, 2025, Ohtani took to the mound against the Houston Astros, pitching two scoreless innings, striking out the side in the second inning, and allowing just one hit overall while throwing 31 pitches with 21 strikes. This was his fourth start of the season, having returned to pitching on June 16, 2022, after recovering from elbow surgery.
Despite Ohtani's impressive performance, the Dodgers fell to the Astros with a final score of 6-4. The team started the game strongly, taking a 2-0 lead after the first two innings, but Houston outscored them 6-2 for the remainder of the contest. The Dodgers went 9-for-36 in their total at-bats during the game.
The Dodgers, who are currently first in the NL West Division standings, are 8.5 games ahead of the San Francisco Giants. They are also 7.5 games ahead of the San Diego Padres, with a record of 56-34 on the season.
The Dodgers' management has been careful with Ohtani's innings, and they are committed to integrating him as a pitcher while he continues to contribute as a hitter. The team is also managing other injured pitchers who are expected to return soon, suggesting that Ohtani's pitching role will be part of a broader plan to strengthen the Dodgers’ pitching depth beyond the All-Star break and into the postseason.
As Ohtani continues to progress in his pitching return, fans and analysts alike are excited to see what the future holds for this extraordinary two-way player. The series finale between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Houston Astros will take place on July 6 at 4:10 p.m. ET.
[References: 1, 2, 4, 5]
1. Associated Press, "Shohei Ohtani makes 4th start for Dodgers, strikes out 3," ESPN, July 6, 2025. 2. Arash Markazi, "Shohei Ohtani's return to pitching is a boost for the Dodgers," Los Angeles Times, July 6, 2025. 3. "Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Houston Astros Box Score," ESPN, July 5, 2025. 4. "Shohei Ohtani's Pitching Velocity Shows Progress," MLB.com, July 6, 2025. 5. "Dodgers Manage Ohtani's Innings Carefully," Sports Illustrated, July 6, 2025.
On July 6, 2025, during the series finale between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Houston Astros, Shohei Ohtani, their exceptional two-way player, took to the mound, showcasing his pitching skills in the Major League Baseball (MLB) game. Despite a team loss, Ohtani demonstrated a remarkable performance with his fourth start of the season, echoing his progress as a pitcher after recovering from elbow surgery in 2022.
