Ohtani came out of his pitching debut for the Los Angeles Dodgers in good order, even if he was his own worst critic.

It had been 663 days between pitching appearances, depriving baseball fans of the famed wicked four-seam fastball and splitter that they have marveled at from the sport’s most unique player.

In the last season that he pitched in 2023, Ohtani had a 3.13 ERA, a 1.06 WHIP and a 10-5 record, helping him earn a second AL MVP.

For every split-second that Andy Pages continued his staredown of Dylan Cease, the possibility of Dodgers-Padres fireworks seemed to increase exponentially. Players from both sides jumped the railings of their dugouts and scowled at each other from the warning-track dirt.

Watch highlights in the San Francisco Giants 5-4 loss against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday at Dodger Stadium, including Daniel Johnson's first homer with the team.Giants vs Dodgers highlights: Jo

Nearly 22 months after making his previous big league start, 21 months after undergoing a second major surgery on his right elbow and 18 months after signing a then-record contract with the Dodgers, ...

Ohtani has not pitched in a game since Aug. 23, 2023, when he got hurt during a start for the Los Angeles Angels against Cincinnati.