How to watch Shohei Ohtani make Dodgers pitching debut

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Shohei Ohtani’s numbers don’t lie. Since the start of the 2024 season, only Aaron Judge has topped Ohtani’s home runs (54), RBIs (130) and OPS (1.036), and Elly De La Cruz is the lone MLB player with more stolen bases than Ohtani’s 59. 

Now, perhaps the top all-around offensive threat in baseball is resuming his side gig as one of the game’s best pitchers. 

Ohtani is set to start on the mound (and as LA’s designated hitter) Monday night against the Padres, making his first pitching appearance since Aug. 23, 2023, for the Angels against the Reds. 

While the Dodgers had been vague about their pitching plans for Ohtani in his return from September 2023 elbow surgery, they’re ready to turn him loose for what effectively will look like rehab starts against major league opposition. The right-hander is expected to serve as an opener in his initial appearances, pitching an inning or two before handing things over to the bullpen. 

The fact that he’s back on the mound at all, though, will make his first few appearances appointment viewing for baseball fans. Here’s everything you need to know to watch Monday’s game: 

How to watch Shohei Ohtani pitch tonight: TV channel, live stream

  • TV channel: MLB Network (national), Spectrum SportsNet LA (local)
  • Live stream: Fubo (national, San Diego market), DirecTV Stream (national)

Monday’s Dodgers vs. Padres game will air nationally on MLB Network and on Spectrum SportsNet LA in the Los Angeles market.

Fans across the country and in the San Diego market can stream the game live via Fubo, which offers a free trial for new users so you can try before you buy. 

Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC and 200+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)

Fans across the country can also watch on MLB Network via DirecTV Stream, which also will carry the local broadcasts in the Los Angeles and San Diego markets. 

What time does Dodgers vs. Padres start? 

  • Date: Monday, June 16
  • Time: 10:10 p.m. ET | 7:10 p.m. PT

Shohei Ohtani will make the first pitch of his Dodgers career Monday night at approximately 10:10 p.m. ET, 7:10 p.m. local time at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.

Dylan Cease will get the start for San Diego in the opener of a four-game series between the NL West rivals at Chavez Ravine. 

Shohei Ohtani pitching stats

Monday will mark Ohtani’s first pitching appearance in nearly two years. Here’s how he has fared on the mound since his MLB debut with the Angels in 2018. He didn’t pitch at all in 2019 and most of 2020 due to an elbow injury. 

Year Team W-L ERA G IP BB K
2018 Angels 4-2 3.31 10 51.2 22 63
2020 Angels 0-1 37.80 2 1.2 8 3
2021 Angels 9-2 3.18 23 130.1 44 156
2022 Angels 15-9 2.33 28 166.0 44 219
2023 Angels 10-5 3.14 23 132.0 55 167
  TOTAL 38-19 3.01 86 481.2 173 608

Dodgers upcoming schedule

Here are the Dodgers’ next nine games after Monday. It’s unclear when Ohtani might make his next start on the mound. 

Date Matchup Time (ET)
Tue., June 17 vs. Padres 10:10 p.m.
Wed., June 18 vs. Padres 10:10 p.m.
Thu., June 19 vs. Padres 10:10 p.m.
Fri., June 20 vs. Nationals 10:10 p.m.
Sat., June 21 vs. Nationals 10:10 p.m.
Sun., June 22 vs. Nationals 4:10 p.m.
Tue., June 24 at Rockies 8:40 p.m.
Wed., June 25 at Rockies 8:40 p.m.
Thu., June 26 at Rockies 3:10 p.m.

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