Slugging pitcher Shohei Ohtani has been called up to the big leagues and will make his pitching debut with the Los Angeles Angels on April 1, manager Mike Scioscia announced Tuesday.

Ohtani, who was a spring training invitee on a minor league contract, will debut in Game 4 of the Angels' season-opening series against the Oakland Athletics. As a designated hitter, he could bat as early as the opener on March 29.

When asked how pitching in the major leagues for the first time would affect his performance, Ohtani said he is trying to think of it the same as any other game.

"Nothing really changes. There's not much difference in how you control your mind in the opening game or during the rest of the season," Ohtani told reporters Tuesday. "I'd like to give it my very best every game."

But the two-way phenomenon said there was a difference between playing on Opening Day as a hitter or a pitcher.

"They are totally different. Personally, I'm not really nervous as a batter. And of course, pitchers think the Opening Day is a big deal."

The 23-year-old Japanese has given up 19 runs in five pitching appearances with the Angels so far, and has batted a .125 average over 11 games.