Shohei Ohtani 2025–26: The Mound Return Everyone Is Watching
Ohtani's 2025 season was defined by one massive question: when does he pitch again? After undergoing Tommy John surgery in September 2023, he spent his first Dodgers year as a pure DH — and still won the NL MVP. Now heading into 2026 spring training, he's throwing live BP sessions and the Dodgers are cautiously optimistic about a full two-way return. The contract structure of his record $700 million deal, heavily deferred, remains a hot topic in MLB financial circles. This is the most compelling storyline in baseball, and it's only getting louder.
What Shohei Ohtani Actually Does on the Field — By the Numbers
In 2024, Ohtani hit .310 with 44 home runs and 130 RBI as a DH — historic production without ever picking up a baseball in competition. His barrel rate and exit velocity consistently rank in the top 1% of MLB hitters, and his ability to hit for both average and power is genuinely rare. On the mound pre-surgery, he was posting mid-to-high 90s fastballs paired with a filthy splitter that generated elite swing-and-miss rates. If he returns to pitching in 2026 at even 85% of that form, the Dodgers become a different kind of terrifying.
Why Shohei Ohtani Has the Most Obsessive Fanbase in Baseball
Ohtani merch outsells nearly every player in MLB, and Dodger Stadium attendance surged after his signing. In Japan, his games are broadcast at odd hours to massive audiences — he's not just an athlete there, he's a cultural event. The debates among fans are real: is he the greatest player of all time already? Can pitching again without setbacks cement that? And then there's the Ippei Mizuhara scandal from 2024 — his former interpreter's gambling scheme blindsided Ohtani and tested fan loyalty, which largely held firm. He's polarizing in the best way: everyone has an Ohtani take.
Why Scoutcast Is the Best Way to Follow Shohei Ohtani Daily
Ohtani news moves fast — a spring training bullpen session, a lineup scratch, a front office comment about his pitching timeline can all break before you've had your morning coffee. Scoutcast delivers a personalized audio briefing every day that surfaces exactly what matters for Ohtani followers: injury updates, pitching progression, game recaps, and trade context, all in under five minutes. If you're tracking whether Ohtani is genuinely back on the mound this season, you need something smarter than a Twitter scroll. That's what Scoutcast is built for.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ohtani is expected to return to pitching in 2026 after missing the 2024 competitive season following Tommy John surgery. The Dodgers have been cautious but optimistic based on his spring training bullpen sessions.
Ohtani signed a 10-year, $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers in December 2023 — the largest contract in North American sports history. Most of the money is heavily deferred until after he retires.
Ohtani's longtime interpreter Ippei Mizuhara was fired and later pleaded guilty to stealing nearly $17 million from Ohtani to cover gambling debts. Ohtani was cleared of any wrongdoing by MLB.
Yes, Ohtani won the NL MVP award in 2024 despite serving solely as a designated hitter while recovering from Tommy John surgery. He hit .310 with 44 home runs and 130 RBI for the Dodgers.
Ohtani is a two-way player who serves as both a starting pitcher and designated hitter. He did not pitch in 2024 due to Tommy John surgery recovery but is expected to resume pitching duties in 2026.
Before his Tommy John surgery, Ohtani regularly hit 97–100 mph with his four-seam fastball. His splitter, which pairs with that velocity, was one of the most unhittable pitches in MLB.
Scoutcast delivers personalized daily audio briefings covering Ohtani's pitching timeline, game performance, and injury news. Download the app on iOS to get your Ohtani briefing every morning.