The expectation was he’d pitch after the All-Star break in July, but with the Dodgers pitching staff gashed by injuries, the team opted to give Ohtani the green light.

Ohtani is making his Los Angeles Dodgers pitching debut, 643 days after the two-way superstar had elbow surgery.

Despite the precaution of limiting Ohtani to one or two innings, his unique two-way designation as an extra pitcher on the roster helps Los Angeles.