Dodgers Set Target for Shohei Ohtani in Spring Training Finale
Los Angeles Dodgers starter Shohei Ohtani will start Tuesday’s game, and LA has some lofty expectations for the reigning MVP. Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts said he hopes Ohtani pitched six innings and reaching 80 pitches during his outing. Dave Roberts says the Dodgers hope Shohei Ohtani gets up to 6 innings and 80 pitches tonight vs the Angels.
— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) March 24, 2026 Additionally, Roberts said Ohtani wouldn’t go more than seven innings in his first start of the regular season, which comes against the Cleveland Guardians in a week. LA is aiming to figure out how to let Ohtani pitch as much as he possibly can without necessarily having him start every six days . Ohtani has made just one start in 2026, pitching 4.
1 innings following his return from the 2026 World Baseball Classic. He looked good in his first start back, though, allowing just a single hit while striking out four batters. The Dodgers seem to be ahead of schedule with Ohtani’s ramping up to begin the season, as Roberts said he wanted Ohtani to pitch three to four innings to begin the year.
While it took the superstar a little bit before returning to the mound, Ohtani’s bat picked up where it left off this year. He has “just” a . 788 OPS in the Cactus League this spring, but tore the cover off of the ball during the WBC.
He led all players with 10 or more plate appearances with a 1. 842 OPS in the tournament, hitting three home runs and tallying seven RBIs in four games. Nov 1, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (17) pitches against the Toronto Blue Jays in the first inning during game seven of the 2025 MLB World Series at Rogers Centre.