Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani is coming back to the mound on Monday against the San Diego Padres, marking his first pitching start since 2023.

The day that the Dodgers have been waiting for since they signed Shohei Ohtani to a then-record contract is nearly here: Ohtani's first start as a pitcher in a Dodgers uniform is set for Monday night against the Padres.

Shohei Ohtani went viral Wednesday night — not for a towering home run or a strikeout on the mound, but for a single pregame photo.Before the Los Angeles Dodgers’ huge 4-3 win over the Padres, a snapshot of Ohtani walking into Dodger Stadium took over social media.