NEW YORK — Nine months since his last time atop a big league mound, there is one thing about pitching Shohei Ohtani misses most.

The nerves.

“There’s a distinct nervousness on start days,” Ohtani said in Japanese on Monday, after updating reporters on the latest in his progression back from his second Tommy John surgery last year.

“I think that’s the same for everyone,” he added. “There’s a nervousness. So if I have to say whether I miss it — I miss it.”

For now, it’s a feeling Ohtani will have to continue to do without.

In his first year with the Dodgers, he has faced plenty of other pressure over the season’s first couple of months.

As a hitter, Ohtani has thus far delivered on the expectations that came with his staggering $700 million offseason contract.

Entering Monday, he was leading the majors in batting average (.336), the National League in slugging percentage (.621) and OPS (1.024), and was emerging as an early-season MVP frontrunner, with only teammate Mookie Betts holding shorter betting odds currently.

Off the field, the two-way star has also navigated the gambling and theft scandal involving his former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara — a situation that remains a topic of questioning in Ohtani’s sporadic media availabilities.

“I don’t think the mental side affects my play,” Ohtani said. “I think that as long as you have solid technique, you can hit regardless of your mental state. I want to separate that [off-the-field problems] from what I have to do on the field.

In recent weeks, Ohtani has played through a couple minor injuries, too.

Earlier this month, he was battling back tightness that forced him to miss one game. Then, last week, he was hit in the back of the leg by a pickoff throw at first base, resulting in a right hamstring contusion that has limited his ability to run full speed on the bases.

Manager Dave Roberts said over the weekend that Ohtani is playing at about 90% physically right now, though Ohtani noted Monday that his hamstring is “getting better day by day” and hasn’t been impacting his swing.

“I think the condition is improving,” Ohtani said. “I don’t feel my pivot foot has been affected much [in my swing].”

Still, pitching has been the missing piece of Ohtani’s season so far, with the two-time MVP remaining limited to moderate-intensity catch play of about 60-70 throws every other day.

Ohtani hit a milestone last week, clocking 80 mph in his flat-ground throwing drills from 60 feet.

But, with Ohtani not expected to complete his recovery as a pitcher until next season, he said he’d “like to take [the progression] step by step, and take the next step without any feeling of panic.”

There could, of course, be a silver lining to Ohtani’s inability to pitch this year. Entering the season, some Dodgers officials and industry evaluators believed that, as a designated hitter only, Ohtani could achieve even more production at the plate than he did during his final three seasons in Anaheim, when he was twice an MVP winner.

So far, Ohtani’s hot start has given that dynamic increasing credence. The 29-year-old is not only holding career-highs in batting average, slugging percentage and OPS, but is also setting personal bests in underlying metrics such as average exit velocity (94.8 mph), hard-hit percentage (he is hitting 59.3% of his batted balls more than 95 mph) and strikeout rate (19.2%, by far a career low).

Plus, he has become more of a stolen base threat, tied for eighth in the majors with 13 steals already.

So, is Ohtani’s ability to devote more focus to just the offensive side of his game leading to better results?

The player wasn’t ready to decide Monday.

“Until I finish the season,” Ohtani said, “it’s something I can’t say.”

When posed the same question last week, Roberts gave a more insightful answer. While the manager acknowledged his personal belief that Ohtani’s singular role has bolstered his performance, Roberts also emphasized the team’s plan to use Ohtani as a two-way player again next year.

“Hopefully, when he’s pitching next year, he can mirror somewhat what he’s doing offensively,” Roberts said. “But I think there’s something to just, the kind of focus on the one aspect of the game.”

So far this season, that’s been fine for the Dodgers.

Even without Ohtani on the mound, their starting rotation has been a strength, currently ranking eighth in the majors with a 3.54 ERA. Even with his thunderous bat in the lineup, their offense has been a bigger area of recent concern, going cold during the team’s current five-game losing streak and 7-9 slide in their last 16 games overall — a stretch in which they’ve averaged only 3.5 runs per game.

Ohtani has been part of the problem lately, batting just .211 over his last 10 games.

But given his gaudy overall numbers, his offensive impact on this year’s team remains monstrous.

A return to pitching — and reacquaintance with the pre-start nerves Ohtani has come to miss this year — will have to continue to wait.

This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

Harry Higgs came out victorious after a playoff at the Visit Knoxville Open on the Korn Ferry Tour Sunday afternoon, but he didn’t deliver the typical closing remarks one would do after winning a golf tournament.

Instead, he took the time to address the loss of Grayson Murray, whose parents confirmed Sunday in a statement that he “took his own life” on Saturday. Murray was 30 years old and had finished his second round at the Charles Schwab Challenge on the PGA Tour on Friday, though he withdrew citing an illness. 

The sports world was in total shock to learn of Murray’s passing, especially the PGA Tour, as it suggested shutting down play until Murray’s parents agreed to keep things going after speaking with commissioner Jay Monahan. 

Though the Korn Ferry Tour is the step just below the PGA Tour in terms of competition level, Murray was once on the circuit, battling for his Tour card like every professional golfer dreams. 

Higgs took the time to not just remember Murray, but also deliver a powerful message for everyone present for the speech and those watching at home. 

“I just have a message, so forgive me if things get a little deep,” Higgs began his speech. “We lost yesterday morning one of our own. I don’t know if you guys heard the news, but somebody who went through a lot of difficult things. Somebody who was open and honest about it, and I thought last night – I didn’t sleep worth a darn and I’m really good at sleeping.

“I thought about this moment and how to maybe remember Grayson, and it just kind of dawned on me that everybody here – one, thank you so much for receiving me and congratulating me and cheering me on throughout. But this golf stuff and the result, it’s lovely, sure. But it’s just not that meaningful. 

GRAYSON MURRAY’S CADDIE GIVES EMOTIONAL TRIBUTE TO ‘BROTHER:’ ‘WOULD TRULY DO ANYTHING FOR ANYONE’

“One thing that I thought of last night, especially laying in bed, is I would challenge everybody here – and I’m going to do this myself as well – each day say something nice to someone you love. And also, make it a point to say something nice to somebody you do not even know.”

As Higgs mentioned, Murray was open about his mental health struggles and battle with alcohol addiction. He said in January that he was several months sober, though it would always be something he had to battle. 

“The world is a very difficult place, and only getting more difficult,” Higgs continued. “I’ve been blessed with great parents and a great support system, and I haven’t had – other than some frustration at times – any battles mentally. But Lord knows how many people do, and it’s only ever increasing. 

Harry Higgs poses with the trophy after winning the Visit Knoxville Open on May 26, 2024. (Brennan Asplen/Getty Images)

“Everybody here could be a difference – the difference. Brighten up somebody’s day, it could mean the world.”

Setting the example for the challenge he put forth to everyone listening, Higgs went on to thank everyone in Knoxville for their hospitality throughout the week of the tournament. 

“Thank you from the bottom of my heart,” he said. “Knoxville, you guys were warm and gracious hosts. This will mean the world to me as I think back on it, but I will just remember the great people I met here in Knoxville.”

So many have offered their condolences and shared stories about their times interacting with Murray. 

What Higgs did here was not only in remembrance of Murray, but a call to action. You never know what someone could be going through on any day, so a random act of kindness could make a huge difference in the world. 

Murray’s parents, Eric and Terry, said in their statement Sunday that their son was surrounded with love. 

Grayson Murray reacts during the trophy presentation after he won the Simmons Bank Open for the Snedeker Foundation at The Grove on Sept. 17, 2023, in College Grove, Tennessee. (Alex Slitz/Getty Images)

“We have so many questions that have no answers. But one,” the statement read. “Was Grayson loved? Yes. By us, his brother Cameron, his sister Erica, all of his extended family, by his friends, by his fellow players and – it seems – by many of you who are reading this. He was loved and he will be missed.

“We would like to thank the PGA Tour and the entire world of golf for the outpouring of support. Life wasn’t always easy for Grayson, and although he took his own life, we know he rests peacefully now.”

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

BASEBALL

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA REGIONAL

Division I

Quarterfinals, Tuesday, 4 p.m.

#8 San Diego Cathedral vs. #1 Orange Lutheran at Hart Park; #5 Santa Margarita at #4 Rancho Bernardo; #6 Granada Hills at #3 Huntington Beach; #7 La Mirada at #2 Torrey Pines.

Division II

Quarterfinals, Tuesday, 4 p.m.

#8 Westlake at #1 Liberty; #5 Poway at #4 Arcadia; #6 Bell at #3 Moorpark; #7 Ayala at # 2 San Marcos.

Division III

Quarterfinals, Tuesday, 4 p.m.

#8 Granada Hills at #1 St. John Bosco; #5 South Torrance at #4 Birmingham; #6 St. Francis at #3 Point Loma; #7 Palm Desert at #2 Bakersfield Christian.

Division IV

Quarterfinals, Tuesday, 4 p.m.

#8 North Hollywood at #1 Chino Hills; #5 University City at #4 Colony; #6 Village Christian at #3 Oxnard Pacifica; #7 Oxford Academy at #2 Valhalla.

Division V

Quarterfinals, Tuesday, 4 p.m.

#8 Chavez at #1 South El Monte; #5 Shafter at #4 Eagle Rock; #6 Pacifica Christian at #3 Mount Miguel; #7 L.A. University at #2 Azusa.

NOTES: Semifinals, Thursday, 4 p.m., at higher seeds; Championships, Saturday, 4 p.m., at higher seeds.

SOFTBALL

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA REGIONAL

Division I

Quarterfinals, Tuesday, 4 p.m.

#8 Santa Ana Mater Dei at #1 Murrieta Mesa; #5 Great Oak at #4 Santa Maria St. Joseph; #6 California at #3 Del Norte; #7 Valley View at #2 Poway.

Division II

Quarterfinals, Tuesday, 4 p.m.

#8 Birmingham at #1 Chula Vista Mater Dei; #5 Riverside King at #4 Rio Mesa; #6 Paraclete at #3 Etiwanda; #7 San Marcos at #2 Granada Hills.

Division III

Quarterfinals, Tuesday, 4 p.m.

#8 Liberty at #1 Otay Ranch; #5 Monache at #4 Bakersfield Christian; #6 JW North at #3 Imperial; #7 Cerritos Valley Christian at #2 Steele Canyon.

Division IV

Quarterfinals, Tuesday, 4 p.m.

#1 Garfield, bye; #5 Nipomo at #4 Woodlake; #6 Eastlake at #3 Pioneer Valley; #7 Oxford Academy at #2 Oceanside.

Division V

Quarterfinals, Tuesday, 4 p.m.

#1 Chatsworth, bye; #5 L.A. University at #4 Bell; #6 Jurupa Valley at #3 Coastal Academy; #7 San Diego Parker at #2 Hesperia Christian.

NOTES: Semifinals, Thursday, 4 p.m., at higher seeds; Championships, Saturday, 4 p.m., at higher seeds.