Fans React to Shohei Ohtani’s Pitching Debut With Dodgers

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani was the starting pitcher and designated hitter for Monday’s series opener against the San Diego Padres.

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Ohtani made his first start for the Dodgers and pitched for the first time since August 2023, when he was a member of the Los Angeles Angels. The reigning National League MVP threw 28 pitches in the top of the first, allowing one run on two hits.

Ohtani threw 16 strikes and touched 100.2 mph in his first outing as a Dodger. His first pitch was a 98 mph fastball to Fernando Tatis Jr.

The right-hander should have had a strikeout of Manny Machado on a checked swing, but the umpire did not give Ohtani the call.

Shohei Ohtani’s first inning for the Dodgers:

28 pitches16 strikes3 whiffs

He should have had a strikeout of Manny Machado on a checked swing but it was incorrectly called a no swing. He gave up a sacrifice fly 2 pitches later.

He touched 100.2 mph. pic.twitter.com/tGjlHNAHkL

— Noah Camras (@noahcamras) June 17, 2025

Ohtani’s long-awaited debut had social media exploding with excitement. Dodgers Nation compiled the best reactions from fans:

Once he gets a feel for pitching in games again, it’s so over for the league.

Shohei Ohtani’s stuff hasn’t missed a beat! pic.twitter.com/P3MlnTKH4A

— Pitch Profiler (@pitchprofiler) June 17, 2025

I need Shohei to RBI to make up for that ER?

— I’m_Migda_de_Ohtani (@akira43h) June 17, 2025

He looked a little nervous but the stuff was good.

— Jeff Moll (@bigjeffm) June 17, 2025

Horrific no K call. Karros said “maybe the worst I’ve ever seen, that was basically a full swing!” He’s not wrong.

— Critical Chris (@criticalcarra) June 17, 2025

Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

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