Shohei Ohtani Reaches 101.7 mph in Dodgers Start as He Returns to Mound Role

Shohei Ohtani reached a new personal best on the mound during his third pitching outing for the Los Angeles Dodgers, firing a fastball that registered 101.7 miles per hour. The right-hander threw his fastest pitch on Saturday at Kauffman Stadium during a short outing against the Kansas City Royals, part of his gradual return to pitching following surgery.

Dodgers Use Ohtani as an Opener During Recovery Phase

Ohtani hit 101.7 mph during the first inning on an 0-2 pitch to Vinnie Pasquantino, who grounded into a double play to end the threat. It was one of four pitches he threw at triple-digit velocity in a game where he worked two innings, gave up one hit, issued one walk, and recorded a strikeout. The Dodgers ultimately fell 9–5 to the Royals.

Following his second Tommy John procedure, which sidelined him for all of 2024, Ohtani has been slowly eased back into pitching this season. The Dodgers have opted for limited stints rather than full starts, with Saturday marking his first outing of more than one inning this year.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said after the game that getting Ohtani through two innings with the kind of performance he showed was clearly a good sign. He added that Ohtani has a strong understanding of his own body and appeared to be in control throughout the outing.

Ohtani began his outing with first-pitch strikes to all seven hitters he encountered. Out of the 27 pitches he delivered, 20 landed in the strike zone. The second inning was particularly efficient, as he retired the side in order and ended the frame with a strikeout on a slider clocked at 89 mph.

Speaking through interpreter Will Ireton, Ohtani said he was generally satisfied with the outing. “There are still some small things to work on, but overall I felt good about being able to attack the zone,” he said.

What Triple-Digit Velocity Could Mean for Dodgers Strategy

The Dodgers have not publicly committed to how frequently Ohtani will pitch this season. So far, he has made only short starts while continuing to serve as the team’s primary designated hitter. Despite his pitching return, he struggled at the plate on Saturday, going 0-for-4 with three strikeouts.

Ohtani touching 101.7 mph may signal that his pitching responsibilities could increase as the season progresses. The pitch was the fastest by a Dodgers player this year and ranks as the team’s second-highest velocity since early 2023.

Roberts mentioned that the high velocity might have been influenced by the intensity of the moment, explaining that a bit of competitive pressure can bring out those upper-90s and 100 mph pitches. He said it was encouraging to see Ohtani hit that level, even if part of it came from trying to overpower hitters.

The Dodgers are likely to continue monitoring Ohtani’s recovery and performance before making decisions about expanded usage. With the postseason months away, they have time to balance caution with the possibility of adding a high-velocity arm to the pitching roster.

Ohtani remains one of only a few players in the league to regularly contribute as both a hitter and a pitcher. His current role reflects both his ongoing recovery and the broader challenge of managing a two-way athlete at the highest level. For now, each appearance on the mound offers a glimpse of how that unique role could continue to develop.

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