A Long Baseball Wait Ends Monday Night

Shohei Ohtani has been one of baseball's most formidable players while serving only as a designated hitter. On Monday night, he will return to pitching, too, after nearly two years, reports ESPN. Ohtani is expected to pitch one inning, maybe two, for the Los Angeles Dodgers against the San Diego Padres. The superstar from Japan has been recuperating from elbow surgery 21 months ago, and this return is faster than expected.

"He's ready to pitch in a major-league game," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters on Sunday. "He let us know that." The three-time MVP has been ramping up to the move by throwing in simulated games, per the AP. The Athletic notes that because he is a two-way player, the Dodgers have a logistical advantage in all this as the pitching comeback continues: They can still keep the usual allotment of pitchers, with Ohtani essentially a bonus pitcher. (Ohtani led the Dodgers to a championship last season.)