Fri Sep 05 20:20:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing the text:
**Ohtani to Start Opener for Dodgers in Surprise Pitching Change, Glasnow Scratched**
**BALTIMORE, MD** – In a stunning turn of events, Shohei Ohtani will be the starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers in their Friday night opener against the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards. The unexpected announcement came just three hours before the scheduled first pitch, with Ohtani replacing Tyler Glasnow.
Ohtani, initially slated to pitch on Wednesday but sidelined with a chest cold, had his start pushed to Monday before this sudden change. This will be Ohtani’s 12th start for the Dodgers and his first since pitching five innings on August 27th. The 31-year-old boasts a 4.18 ERA in his first season as a pitcher with the Dodgers.
While making waves on the mound, Ohtani remains a dominant force at the plate. The leading candidate for the National League MVP Award is hitting .279 with an impressive 46 home runs and 87 RBIs in 137 games as a designated hitter.
The Dodgers have yet to release an official explanation for scratching Glasnow, who had a strong outing in his last start against the Arizona Diamondbacks, pitching a season-high seven innings. Despite a 1-13 record in 14 starts, Glasnow has demonstrated improved performance since returning from right shoulder inflammation on July 9th, maintaining a 3.02 ERA with 58 strikeouts across 50 2/3 innings in nine starts.
Baseball fans will be watching closely as Ohtani takes the mound in this unforeseen pitching switch, adding another layer of intrigue to the Dodgers-Orioles series.
First Piper 