When baseball turns into Broadway, don’t be surprised if the curtain call comes with controversy. The Los Angeles Dodgers lit up the marquee, but some critics say the script was misleading. Shohei Ohtani made his dramatic return, and while fans cheered, one ex-MLB president wasn’t clapping. In a league where hype sells faster than hot dogs, even the Dodgers may have oversold their star’s latest act.

Shohei Ohtani is back. After 663 days of just holding the bat, Ohtani is back on the mound, marking one of the biggest news stories of the year. Fans flooded the websites to buy tickets. But according to David Samson, they got mugged off.

In his recent show, David Samson talked about Shohei Ohtani and his return to the mound. While fans were happy to see their star on the mound, Samson was busy with the PR side of things. “It’s great PR where you say Otani starting for the Dodgers. I would have preferred truth in advertising for them to say Otani opening for the Dodgers because that’s all he did,” and he may be right. But does that matter?

Shohei Ohtani’s long-awaited return to the mound came with just one inning, but a massive impact. He threw 28 pitches, gave up one run, and still managed two RBIs as DH. It might not be dominant, but it was gutsy and symbolic after 22 months off. For Dodgers fans, it felt less like an inning and more like a statement.

Though he’s not a full-time starter yet, the Los Angeles Dodgers may slowly stretch his leash.

As an opener, Ohtani offers elite stuff—his fastball touched 96 mph despite nerves. In 2023, he posted a 3.14 ERA with 167 strikeouts in 132 innings. If he stays healthy, he becomes LA’s secret weapon down the stretch.

So, was it a start, an opener, or just great marketing in cleats? Call it what you want, but Ohtani’s return was baseball’s version of a teaser trailer—short, hyped, and impossible to ignore.

The truth is, even one inning from Ohtani moves the needle more than nine from most. If this is what his “not ready” looks like, imagine when he’s fully unleashed. The Dodgers didn’t just pitch a player—they pitched a phenom. And if the PR machine keeps rolling, they might just win October before the playoffs even start.

Shohei Ohtani’s return to the mound lifts Dodgers’ pitching scene

Baseball rarely hands out fairytales, but when it does, it usually involves a guy who hits 450-foot bombs and casually throws 100 mph. The league didn’t need another reason to obsess, yet here we are. The Dodgers didn’t just buy talent—they bought mythology. And now, Shohei Ohtani is back doing that thing again, and everyone, from rivals to retirees, suddenly remembers how to cheer.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto didn’t just share a photo—he shared a moment soaked in reverence. With a simple “So cool,” he captured what millions were thinking. For Yamamoto, this isn’t just admiration; it’s a tribute to the standard. Watching Shohei Ohtani rise again only strengthens the blueprint he’s quietly following.

Their bond isn’t built on dugout laughs, but on national pride and shared greatness. Both the Japanese stars are rewriting baseball in bold, beautiful strokes. Yamamoto thrives under pressure, but Ohtani’s return lifts a silent weight. He’s no longer the lone torchbearer—his countryman is back in the fire.

Shohei Ohtani’s comeback is more than emotional. It’s strategic for Yamamoto’s long season grind. With Shotime back, the spotlight gets shared and the load gets lighter. Pitching is less lonely now. And for Yamamoto, greatness no longer feels so far away—it’s in the locker next door.

In a league that glorifies solo acts, Ohtani’s return feels like a headline with harmony. Yamamoto now plays alongside the myth, not just under its shadow. This isn’t just about healing elbows—it’s about raising ceilings. The Dodgers didn’t just regain a pitcher; they reignited a nation’s baseball fever.