ANAHEIM, CA-As the 2026 MLB season kicks off, all eyes are on Los Angeles Dodgers' star Shohei Ohtani. After signing a jaw-dropping $700 million contract, the four-time MVP is set to start the season as a full two-way player, showcasing his unique ability to dominate both at the plate and on the mound.
Ohtani's preparation for the season has been anything but ordinary. He took a detour from his usual spring training routine to represent Team Japan in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. Despite this, the Dodgers are confident in Ohtani's readiness to begin the year in the starting rotation.
So far, Ohtani has made just one spring start for the Dodgers, delivering an impressive 4.1 scoreless innings against their NL West rivals, the San Francisco Giants. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts announced that Ohtani will have one final tune-up start in an exhibition game against the Los Angeles Angels, just two days before Opening Day.
While the Dodgers haven’t fully unveiled their starting rotation, it’s likely to feature a formidable lineup: Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, Roki Sasaki, Emmet Sheehan, and Ohtani himself. This setup would position Ohtani to make his regular-season pitching debut on March 31st against the Cleveland Guardians at Dodger Stadium.
Last season, Ohtani delivered an elite pitching performance, boasting a 2.87 ERA and 1.90 FIP over 47 innings, including several key postseason starts. As he steps into the new season, fans and analysts alike are eager to see how his dual-threat capability will impact the Dodgers' quest for glory.