Shohei Ohtani Makes First Start of 2026 vs. Giants
Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani made his first start of the year against the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday. Ohtani pitched 4. 1 shutout innings in the outing, striking out four batters and allowing just one hit.
He had an efficient first inning, retiring the side in just five pitches. Both Jung Hoo Lee and Patrick Bailey saw a ball before putting the ball in play for an out, and Matt Chapman flew out to left on the first pitch of the final at-bat of the half inning. Ohtani threw few more pitches in the second inning, adding 14 to his tally, but still managed a scoreless frame despite allowing a leadoff double to Heliot Ramos.
After the double, he struck out Willy Adames and forced a lineout out of Jerar Ecarnacion before striking out Will Brennan to end the inning He struggled to find the zone in the third inning, plunking Luis Matos and issuing a four-pitch walk to Lee with just one out. He managed to find his control afterwards, though, striking out Bailey and forcing Chapman to ground out. Ohtani struck out Ramos to kick off the fourth, and an obscure double play after he walked the next batter ended the inning and his outing.
He got one more out in the fifth before leaving the game at 60 pitches. The reigning MVP made his Dodgers debut as a pitcher in 2025, and strung together some impressive results throughout the regular season. He made 14 starts, pitching a total of 47 innings, and posted a 2.
87 ERA while striking out 62 batters. He also pitched in the postseason, posting a 4. 43 ERA through four starts.