Shohei Ohtani made his Los Angeles Dodgers pitching debut, 21 months after the two-way superstar had elbow surgery.

Ohtani started against the San Diego Padres on Monday night in the series opener between the division rivals.

The Japanese right-hander has been throwing simulated games recently in preparation for his return while still wielding his powerful bat in the lineup.

Typically, pitchers returning from injuries go on minor league rehab assignments, but Ohtani is an exception.

The three-time MVP is batting .290 with 25 homers, which leads the National League, 41 RBIs and 11 stolen bases as the designated hitter in the leadoff spot.

Stanton makes season debut with Yankees

Yankees designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton was activated Monday and batted fifth against the Los Angeles Angels after missing New York’s first 70 games because of inflammation in the tendons of both elbows.

Stanton was 3 for 11 with 4 RBIs in three rehab games last week with Double-A Somerset, an assignment cut short by rainy weather. He worked out Sunday at Yankee Stadium while the Yankees were getting swept at Boston.

“He feels good to go,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “Excited to get the big boy back.”

Stanton has not played a full season since 2018, the first year after the Yankees acquired him from the Miami Marlins.

Entering Monday, he had missed 364 of 940 games (39%) since the beginning of the 2019 season.

Astros’ McCullers injured once again

The Houston Astros placed right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. on the 15-day injured list with a sprained right foot before his scheduled start against the Athletics.

The move, which is retroactive to Friday, comes after McCullers made seven starts this year in his return after missing two full seasons with various arm injuries.

McCullers is 1-2 with a 4.91 ERA this season. He allowed four hits and four runs while striking out six in five innings of a 4-2 loss to the White Sox in his last start.

The Astros recalled right-hander Jason Alexander from Triple-A Sugar Land to take McCullers’ spot on the roster.

D’Backs sign former Twin DeSclafani

The Arizona Diamondbacks signed right-hander Anthony DeSclafani to a $1 million, one-year contract.

DeSclafani, 35, opted out of a minor league deal with the New York Yankees on Thursday. He pitched for their Triple-A team at Scranton, where he had a 4.50 ERA in five starts.

DeSclafani is 54-56 with a 4.20 ERA in his career. He was 13-7 with a 3.17 ERA for San Francisco in 2021, but last pitched in the majors in July 2023.

He was sidelined all of last season after having flexor tendon surgery on his pitching arm.

Nationals call up 2021 first-round pick House

Third baseman Brady House was promoted by the Washington Nationals from Triple-A Rochester, the club’s latest rookie to get a look at the big league level this season.

Washington entered Monday on an eight-game losing streak.