- Dodgers see light at the end of the tunnel in Roki Sasaki recovery
- Ohtani faces hitters for 1st time since elbow surgery, throws 22 pitches of live BP at Citi Field
Shohei Ohtani continues to dominate Major League Baseball, delivering another standout performance on Monday night to help the Los Angeles Dodgers secure a 7-2 victory over the Cleveland Guardians. The two-way star wasted no time making an impact, blasting a leadoff home run on the first pitch of the game. The towering shot marked his 19th homer of the season, pushing him ahead of Kyle Schwarber and Aaron Judge for the league lead.
Ohtani's ability to ignite the Dodgers' offense has become a defining feature of his 2025 campaign. His latest homer marked his third career leadoff home run on the first pitch and fourth of the season, tying him with C.J. Abrams, Oneil Cruz, and Francisco Lindor for the most first-pitch homers in the majors this year. His career total of 16 leadoff home runs places him 52nd all-time, further highlighting his historic trajectory.
Beyond his power at the plate, Ohtani remains a key factor in the Dodgers' success. The team sits atop the National League West with a 33-21 record, largely due to Ohtani's presence at the top of the lineup. His individual numbers reflect his dominance-he is hitting .295 with 33 RBIs, while his 1.039 OPS ranks third in MLB.
He is still a threat everywhere
His ability to get on base and drive in runs continues to fuel Los Angeles' strong performance. The excitement surrounding Ohtani's season is set to grow even further as he eyes a return to pitching duties. After undergoing elbow surgery last season, he has been limited to designated hitter responsibilities, but his progress has been evident.
Over the weekend, Ohtani threw a bullpen session at Citi Field, signaling that his transition back to a two-way role may be closer than expected. For the Dodgers, who have been dealing with injuries to their pitching staff, Ohtani's return to the mound could be a game-changer down the stretch.
His combination of elite hitting and pitching makes him a rare and invaluable asset, and if he regains full form, the MVP race may not be much of a contest. Ohtani's presence continues to elevate the Dodgers, and if he resumes pitching, he could once again redefine baseball history.