Reigning NL MVP Award winner Shohei Ohtani took the mound for the first time in a Los Angeles Dodgers uniform. The megastar had triple-digit velocity in the opening frame against San Diego, his first pitching appearance since 2023. Ohtani became the first NL player to start a game as a hurler and bat leadoff since 1953 (Alvin Dark, New York Giants) in the eventual 6-3 win.