Shohei Ohtani stepped in as a last-minute starter for Glasnow, throwing 11 pitches at triple-digit speeds.

In the series opener today, where the Dodgers fell 1-2 to the Orioles, Ohtani was surprisingly named the starting pitcher and threw 3.2 innings without allowing a run.

Throughout this appearance—just as he has for much of the season—he threw some of the fastest pitches of his professional career.

Ohtani hit triple-digit speeds 11 times, marking a career high. This included six four-seam fastballs in the fourth inning, during which Ryan Mountcastle opened with a double and advanced to third on a wild pitch, followed by Ohtani striking out Colton Cowser and Emmanuel Rivera. Left-handed reliever Anthony Banda then induced a groundout from Samuel Basallo, keeping the Orioles scoreless through four innings.

Ohtani’s fastest pitch reached 101.5 mph—just shy of his career best of 101.7 mph set on June 28 against the Royals. He started this game as a replacement for Tyler Glasnow, who was placed on the injured list due to a tight back.

Originally scheduled to start on Thursday, Ohtani was scratched due to a chest cold and cough, postponing his start until Tuesday. However, everything changed three hours before the game at the Orioles’ ballpark. This marked his 12th start as a Dodger and his first time pitching five full innings since August 27.

“Shohei was very willing. He felt good physically and wanted the ball tonight,” explained manager Dave Roberts before the game. “He said he felt great, and after consulting with the training staff, everyone who needed to know agreed. Most importantly, Ohtani himself agreed.”

At 31 years old, Ohtani, in his first season with the Dodgers this year, has lowered his ERA to 3.75. The favorite for the National League MVP award, prior to Friday, had hit .279 with 46 home runs and 87 RBIs in 137 games as the designated hitter.

Ohtani’s return to the mound—starting in mid-June—has been carefully managed, with his innings pitched gradually increasing from one inning per start in his first two outings to a total of 17.1 innings over four appearances in August, each spaced seven days apart.

“He’s learning, like most people, and he has the ability to make adjustments,” Roberts said. “I think the consistency is good, but I also believe that desire, that willingness to react, to read and respond, and to adjust is just as important. So, it’s commendable that Ohtani wants to step up for us. I really admire that about him.”

Roberts added that considering Ohtani’s recent injury recovery, he might not pitch a full five innings again on Friday, though that will depend on his efficiency. He threw 70 pitches over 3.2 innings, 44 of which were strikes.

Glasnow pitched seven innings in his last start against the Diamondbacks last Sunday, matching his season high. Roberts said Glasnow was still scheduled to pitch but has been dealing with a back tightness that started Friday and persisted through today.

“We hope to delay him a few days so he can start early next week,” Roberts said.

Glasnow has only one win in 14 starts this year, but since returning from right shoulder inflammation on July 9, he has performed well, posting a 3.02 ERA with 58 strikeouts over 50.2 innings in nine starts.