Shohei Ohtani made his highly anticipated return to pitching Monday night, throwing 100.2 mph in his first mound appearance since August 2023 as the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the San Diego Padres 6-3.

The two-way star pitched one inning and allowed one run on 28 pitches while also going 2-for-4 as designated hitter. Ohtani had expected his fastball to sit in the mid-90s during his pitching rehab extension but exceeded those expectations before a sold-out Dodger Stadium crowd.

Manager Dave Roberts expressed both excitement and caution about Ohtani's velocity surge during the much-anticipated debut.

"I was just kind of hoping for a more tempered 97, 96 than 100," Roberts said after the game. "But when you're a competitor, you're just trying to get guys out. And if you have 100 in the tank, you're going to use it."

Ohtani surrendered a sacrifice fly to Manny Machado after Fernando Tatis Jr. reached base and advanced on a wild pitch. He induced two groundouts to complete the inning before transitioning to his hitting duties without taking batting practice swings.

The 30-year-old struck out in his first plate appearance but delivered key offensive contributions later in the game. His opposite-field double tied the score 1-1 in the third inning, followed by an RBI single during a decisive five-run fourth inning.

"Not quite happy with the results overall," Ohtani said through an interpreter, "but I think the biggest takeaway for me is that I feel good enough to be able to go out for my next outing."

Ohtani underwent elbow surgery in September 2023 after tearing his ulnar collateral ligament for the second time. He also required shoulder surgery following a labrum tear during Game 2 of the 2024 World Series, which delayed his pitching progression.

The Dodgers plan to use Ohtani every six to eight days while gradually increasing his workload. General manager Brandon Gomes described the additional pitching as "free innings" due to Ohtani's two-way designation.

Roberts acknowledged his amazement watching Ohtani perform both roles in the same game for the first time as a member of the Dodgers. 

"I was kind of fanboying for like half an inning," Roberts admitted.