Shohei Ohtani got into the home run column for the first time of the 2026 MLB season, launching his first long ball during Friday afternoon’s series opener between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Washington Nationals. The star slugger drove a ball to right field in the third inning, marking his first homer of the year.
The three-run shot erased an early deficit and pulled Los Angeles level after Washington struck first on a three-run homer from CJ Abrams in the opening frame. Ohtani’s swing marked a pivotal moment, sparking a surge at the plate for the Dodgers.
Shortly after, Mookie Betts followed with a two-run homer. The power display continued as Andy Pages and Freddie Freeman each added two-run shots across the third and fourth innings. Kyle Tucker, recently added to the roster, contributed a solo blast in the seventh, helping Los Angeles pull away for a 13-6 victory.
Ohtani entered the game in a noticeable early-season slump, carrying a .167/.423/.167 slash line. He had managed just three hits in 18 at-bats, though he had crossed the plate twice via walks. Despite the slow opening stretch, this type of start is familiar for the two-way standout. At the same point last season, he had three home runs, and in 2024, his first homer also came on April 3. The Dodgers had played only seven games to that point, with the schedule slightly delayed due to the World Baseball Classic.
The four-time MVP finished last season with 55 home runs, leaving ample runway to approach that mark again with 155 games remaining in 2026.
In addition to his offensive contributions, Ohtani recently returned to the mound, tossing six scoreless innings in a 4-1 win over the Cleveland Guardians earlier in the week.
Across the league, several of last year’s top power hitters have also started slowly. Cal Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners, who led MLB in home runs in 2025, has yet to homer and has just four hits in 25 at-bats. Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees endured a rough Opening Day with four strikeouts in five at-bats but has since rebounded with multiple homers, including another on Friday.
Meanwhile, Kyle Schwarber has stood out early. After finishing with 56 home runs last season, he wasted no time making an impact, launching a two-run homer in the first inning on Opening Day to set the tone for his 2026 campaign.