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Shohei Ohtani will make spring pitching debut Wednesday then DH on Friday

March 18, 2026

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Back to work – one tool at a time.

Shohei Ohtani returned from the World Baseball Classic and through a bullpen session during the Dodgers’ workout on Tuesday. He will make his spring pitching debut Wednesday in the Cactus League game against the San Francisco Giants. Ohtani won’t hit in that game but will be in the lineup on Friday against the San Diego Padres at DH.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto will make his return to Cactus League play in Friday’s game as well. That will be his only post-WBC tune-up before his Opening Day start against the Arizona Diamondbacks on March 26.

“Given what he’s done as far as that four-inning live (a simulated game with Team Japan last week), I think three or four (innings) is fair for tomorrow,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of Ohtani.

The schedule is an attempt to do “what we can with what we have left to get him ready for the season,” Roberts said.

Ohtani’s pitching schedule will also include a start during the three-game Freeway Series against the Angels, most likely the second game at Dodger Stadium next Tuesday. That means Ohtani would not make a start during the Dodgers’ season-opening series against the Diamondbacks but would pitch in the second half of the opening homestand against the Cleveland Guardians.

“Potentially,” Roberts said to that. “Good math.”

TREINEN TROUBLES

Through five innings this spring, veteran reliever Blake Treinen has allowed seven hits, walked six batters and hit another. His spring struggles were most evident during Monday’s abysmal 24-9 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers. Treinen came in during the fifth inning and hit a batter with his first pitch (loading the bases) then gave up a grand slam with his next pitch. A double and a walk followed before he got out of the inning.

Roberts made it clear after the game that he was concerned by what he has seen from the 38-year-old Treinen this spring.

“I don’t see confidence,” Roberts said. “Obviously the execution is not there, with the sinker, the sweeper is a ball. It’s been a few, three or four outings consistently not throwing the baseball the way we expect.

“But for me, off the top, there’s no conviction. I see a lack of confidence.”

Treinen was sidelined by a forearm strain for most of last season and was ineffective when he returned. There is no indication that Treinen is not fully healthy this spring.

“He’s done so much for us and he’s pitched in so many big ballgames. He’s been so dependable,” Roberts said. “But certainly right now, he’s going through it. We’ve got to find a way to right it before we get into the season. He’s only going to have a couple more outings before the season starts. Hopefully these next couple he can turn it around.”

The Dodgers are counting on Treinen to be part of the mix leading up to new closer Edwin Diaz this year. Roberts said Treinen has not pitched his way off the roster this spring.

“No. We’re definitely not there yet,” Roberts said. “Right now at the forefront in my head is how do we get him back and I know Mark (Prior) feels the same way. So we’ve just kind of got to figure it out, collect our thoughts and get him back on track.”

STONE’S THROW

Right-hander Gavin Stone said he is pain-free and has been given the go-ahead to start his throwing program by playing catch beginning Tuesday. Stone was shut down two weeks ago when he had pain in his surgically-repaired shoulder following his first spring outing.

The right-hander will have to progress through playing catch, throwing bullpens and possibly live batting practice before he can get back in games. But Stone is optimistic he can cover all of those steps in a month now that he is pain-free.

Orange County Register

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Shohei Ohtani will make spring pitching debut Wednesday then DH on Friday

TREINEN TROUBLES

STONE’S THROW

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