Ohtani will start Sunday vs. A's
Los Angeles Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani will make his regular-season return to the mound Sunday in Oakland against the Athletics, he confirmed to reporters, including Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com.
The start will be Ohtani's first big-league appearance as a pitcher in almost two years. He underwent Tommy John surgery after his rookie season, and Ohtani could only play as a designated hitter in 2019 while continuing his pitching rehab program.
By starting next Sunday, Ohtani is essentially locked-in as the Angels' Sunday starting pitcher, giving him seven days between outings. He doesn't hit the day after his starts, and three off days are scheduled for the Angels throughout the shortened campaign, according to Bollinger.
Ohtani made his final summer camp start at Angel Stadium on Sunday, allowing one run on five hits with six strikeouts and four walks in five innings.
"I feel better each time I get out there," Ohtani said, according to Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register. "I feel better with the mound, facing hitters, getting reps in. I'm feeling better each time."
The 26-year-old was named AL Rookie of the Year in 2018 after coming over from Japan. That season he posted a 3.31 ERA and 1.16 WHIP while averaging 11 strikeouts per nine innings in 10 starts for the Halos. Ohtani was MLB's first full-time two-way player in nearly a century.
Last year while relegated to DH, Ohtani slashed .286/.343/.505 with 18 home runs and 62 RBIs over 106 games.