It wasn't a perfect return to the mound for Shohei Ohtani, but the Dodgers feel good about what it meant for the two-way star.

After the Padres game, Ohtani, who signed a 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers in 2023, said that he expects to see a gradual increase in his pitching usage going forward, as noted by Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register.

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani will return to the mound for the first time since 2023, with a start against the San Diego Padres on Monday in Los Angeles, the team announced.