A Dominant Start Meets Late-Game Fatigue
Shohei Ohtani is signaling that he is prepared for the upcoming MLB season, though questions linger regarding his endurance for a full workload. During his final spring training appearance on Tuesday, the Los Angeles Dodgers superstar delivered a masterclass against his former club, the Los Angeles Angels.
Ohtani was electric early on, racking up 11 strikeouts across his first 14 batters faced. However, his outing concluded in the fifth inning after he surrendered three consecutive singles. His final stat line reflected a mix of dominance and late-game vulnerability: pitching four-plus innings, allowing four hits and three earned runs, while issuing two walks and recording those 11 strikeouts over 86 pitches. At the plate, he finished 1-for-2.
Velocity Trends and the Road Ahead
While the Dodgers organization would have preferred a flawless conclusion to his spring, the primary objective of these outings is to monitor pitch counts and physical readiness. Entering this season, the situation surrounding Ohtani on the mound is unique; this is his first time preparing as a member of the Dodgers' Opening Day rotation after a spring schedule complicated by his participation in the World Baseball Classic.
The team opted to push Ohtani further on Tuesday, sending him out for the fifth inning despite him already reaching 79 pitches after four frames. It was at this juncture that signs of fatigue became apparent. According to data analysis, Ohtani’s fastball velocity saw a notable decline. While he averaged 98.4 mph on his four-seamer in his previous outing, that figure dropped to 96.5 mph on Tuesday. By the fifth inning, his velocity dipped even further, with fastballs registering at 94.2 mph, 93.4 mph, and 93.5 mph.
«Is that concerning for the Dodgers? A sudden drop in velocity can often be a red flag for injury, but in this case, it seems more feasible that Ohtani was simply stretched out a little longer than advisable.»
Managing the Star Pitcher’s Workload
As the Dodgers pursue their third consecutive World Series title in 2026, the focus shifts to how they will utilize Ohtani over a full 162-game schedule. Historically, Ohtani has never eclipsed 166 innings in a single season. Managing his usage to keep him fresh for the postseason—while ensuring he remains effective throughout the summer—will be a delicate balancing act.
The decision to test his limits past 80 pitches just before the season begins suggests the team is confident in his progression. The Dodgers are prepared to open the campaign with a formidable rotation featuring Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, Emmet Sheehan, and Roki Sasaki, with Justin Wrobleski serving as capable depth.