All articles tagged with #pitching debut
Shohei Ohtani made his second start as a pitcher for the Dodgers, impressively recording his first two strikeouts without allowing a hit or run in an inning, as part of his return from UCL surgery, signaling a promising comeback in his pitching role.
Shohei Ohtani made his long-awaited pitching debut for the Dodgers after recovering from Tommy John surgery, pitching one inning with some rust but showing he still has life in his arm, while also contributing as a hitter in a 6-3 win against the Padres.
Shohei Ohtani made his pitching and hitting debut since August 2023 for the Dodgers, pitching one inning with a fastball reaching 100.2 mph and hitting in the game, marking a significant step in his recovery from elbow surgery and showcasing his continued prowess as a two-way player.
Shohei Ohtani will make his long-awaited pitching debut for the Los Angeles Dodgers after recovering from elbow surgery, starting in a game against the San Diego Padres, marking his return to the mound after 21 months.
Shohei Ohtani is set to make his long-awaited pitching debut for the Dodgers against the Padres, starting as an opener in a game that marks his return to the mound earlier than expected after elbow surgery, though his role is expected to be limited initially.
Sonny Gray made a successful debut for the St. Louis Cardinals, delivering five shutout innings on 64 pitches and securing a win in his first start. Despite a delayed debut due to injury, Gray's dominant performance showcased his readiness to be the Cardinals' No. 1 starter. His pitch count was closely monitored, and he impressed with his control and pitch variety, aided by the team's strong defensive plays. Gray's return to the majors was a testament to his preparation and honesty, as he convinced the team of his readiness without a rehab appearance.
Despite the Atlanta Braves losing to the Philadelphia Phillies, Chris Sale's impressive pitching debut showcased his competitive fire and potential as a frontline starter, with seven strikeouts and a fastball averaging 94.9 mph. Sale's mound presence and stuff impressed manager Brian Snitker, and his teammates praised his intensity and desire to win. Although the Braves didn't secure a road-series sweep, Sale's performance left them optimistic about their season prospects and his role as their third starter.
Yankees pitcher Carlos Rodon had a short and sweaty debut against the Astros, allowing only one run in 4 1/3 innings before being pulled due to a high pitch count. Despite the comfortable indoor temperature, Rodon was visibly sweating throughout his outing, which ended in a 7-1 victory for the Yankees.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the Los Angeles Dodgers' new right-hander, made a dazzling debut in spring training, striking out three over two scoreless innings with a 96 mph fastball and wicked movement on his pitches. His performance, watched by fellow Japanese star Shohei Ohtani, left manager Dave Roberts and others impressed, with Roberts comparing Yamamoto's skills to a young Zack Greinke. The 25-year-old's transition to the MLB seems to be going smoothly, and the Dodgers have high expectations for him as a frontline starter after signing him to a record-breaking contract.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto's first live batting practice session with the Los Angeles Dodgers drew significant attention, with over 1,000 fans and the team's best sluggers watching as he faced hitters for the first time. Despite it being just a practice session, Yamamoto's performance drew rave reviews for his command and pitch repertoire. The 25-year-old righty, who recently signed a 12-season deal with the Dodgers, impressed with his fastball hitting 96 mph and his unique delivery. His teammates and manager also praised his efforts to adapt to the new environment, indicating a promising start to his career with the team.
Brandon Crawford, a shortstop for the San Francisco Giants, made his pitching debut in a game against the Cubs, pitching a scoreless inning and hitting 90 mph once on the radar gun. Crawford, a fan favorite, had been wanting to pitch in a big league game for years and was given the opportunity by manager Gabe Kapler. After the game, Crawford joked about his 0.00 ERA and plans to give his pitching teammates a hard time about it.
San Francisco Giants' shortstop Brandon Crawford made his pitching debut in a 13-3 win over the Chicago Cubs, retiring the next three batters after allowing a bloop single. Crawford, who had spent his entire 13-year career at shortstop, hit 90 with his fastball and mixed in a curveball. He was proud to have played only shortstop in the big leagues but was "a little bit torn" when manager Gabe Kapler finally told him he could pitch. With the scoreless outing, Crawford is now in a 26-player tie for the best ERA in Giants history.
Tanner Bibee shines in his MLB pitching debut, striking out eight and not walking a single batter in 5.2 innings of work, helping the Guardians avoid a sweep by the Rockies with a 4-1 win. The offense showed some signs of life with 10 hits and four runs, but struggled with runners in scoring position. Naylor hit a home run and Kwan drew a pair of walks. Bibee's potential is sky-high with his high-90s velocity and big breaking balls.
Kodai Senga made an impressive MLB debut for the New York Mets, striking out eight batters and allowing only one run in 5⅓ innings against the Miami Marlins. Senga wore a glove with an image of a ghost and a pitchfork in reference to his "ghost forkball." His eight strikeouts tied for the fourth most by a Japanese pitcher in an MLB debut. Tommy Pham had three hits and three RBIs for the Mets, while Trevor Rogers struggled for the Marlins.
MacKenzie Gore made his pitching debut for the Washington Nationals, striking out six batters and allowing one run over 5⅓ innings against the Atlanta Braves. Gore helped the Nationals secure their first victory of the season, 4-1.