Shohei Ohtani's Spring Training Pitching Debut Date for Dodgers Revealed After Japan's WBC Exit

Shohei Ohtani is set to make his spring training pitching debut for the Los Angeles Dodgers following Japan's elimination in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts revealed that Ohtani will pitch multiple innings against the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday.

"I think three to four [innings] is fair for tomorrow," Roberts said Tuesday, per the Associated Press (h/t ESPN). "It's more of just doing what we can with what we have left to get him ready for the season. He did his part when he was with Team Japan and now you're putting him in against real competition, build him up there, and try to get as much buildup before the season starts."

The Dodgers planned for Ohtani to take the mound in one more exhibition contest against the Los Angeles Angels on either March 23 or March 24, via ESPN. Japan was eliminated from the World Baseball Classic by Venezuela on Saturday.

The four-time MVP chose not to pitch in the WBC and served as a designated hitter for Japan instead, as he's coming off a 2025 season in which he made just 14 regular-season starts after recovering from elbow surgery.

Ohtani was still effective as a pitcher despite his limited usage, compiling a 2.87 ERA while averaging 11.9 strikeouts per nine innings in 2025.

The Dodgers will open the 2026 regular season against the Arizona Diamondbacks on March 26.