The decision to let Shohei Ohtani start against the San Diego Padres on Monday came after months of close observation and feedback from the Dodgers star.

Shohei Ohtani pitched an inning for the first time in nearly two years and drove in two runs out of the leadoff spot as the Los Angeles Dodgers earned a 6-3 victory over the visiting San Diego Padres on Monday in the opener of a four-game series.

A look at the Major League Baseball rule, adopted in 2022, that allows two-way players like Shohei Ohtani to both pitch and be the designated hitter in the same game.