The Los Angeles Dodgers are on the brink of witnessing the full potential of Shohei Ohtani, the superstar who has captivated baseball fans with his rare ability to excel both as a pitcher and a hitter. As the team gears up for the 2025 season, Ohtani is in the thick of his second spring training with the Dodgers, marking the first time he’s actively working as a two-way player. His journey back to the mound has been a long and arduous one, following a challenging 2023 season that saw him undergo surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his elbow, followed by another procedure to fix a torn labrum in his shoulder.
Despite these setbacks, Ohtani remains optimistic about his progress. According to reports from USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, Ohtani is expected to be ready to hit this spring, with his return to pitching slated for May. While he’s still recovering from the shoulder surgery, Ohtani has already begun throwing all of his pitches on flat ground, a promising sign that he’s on track to resume his dual role. However, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has tempered expectations, noting that it’s unlikely Ohtani will pitch in any spring training games. This cautious approach reflects the team’s commitment to ensuring Ohtani’s long-term health and readiness for the rigors of the regular season.
Ohtani’s ability to contribute as a designated hitter (DH) has been a bright spot for the Dodgers, and his progress at the plate appears to be on schedule. This is a welcome development for a team that is eager to maximize his impact without overexerting him too early in the season. The timeline for his return to pitching was originally set for Opening Day in 2025, but the torn labrum he sustained during Game 2 of the World Series pushed that plan back. While this delay has required some adjustments, the Dodgers are well-positioned to manage Ohtani’s gradual return, thanks to a deep and talented pitching staff that doesn’t immediately require his services.
One of the key challenges in Ohtani’s return to pitching is balancing his role as a DH. The Dodgers are understandably reluctant to lose his bat from the lineup, even for a single game, which has led to an unconventional plan for his reintroduction to pitching. Rather than sending him on a minor league rehab assignment, general manager Brandon Gomes has indicated that Ohtani will transition directly from simulated games to the major league roster. This approach underscores the team’s confidence in his ability to adapt and perform at the highest level, even after an extended layoff.
The Dodgers’ pitching rotation is already among the most formidable in the league, featuring names like Blake Snell, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, and Roki Sasaki. With a wealth of talent competing for the final spots in what will be a six-man rotation, the team is under no pressure to rush Ohtani back into action. This depth provides a significant advantage, allowing the Dodgers to eased Ohtani back into the fold without overburdening their bullpen. Once he returns, however, Ohtani’s presence will not only bolster the rotation but also create a valuable roster spot, enabling the team to expand its bullpen beyond the current limit of seven pitchers.
As the Dodgers prepare to open their season with a highly anticipated Japan Series against the Chicago Cubs on March 18, all eyes will be on Ohtani. While his delayed return to pitching may temper some of the early season excitement, the team is keenly aware of the long-term implications of his health. Ohtani’s ability to contribute as both a hitter and a pitcher makes him a unique asset, and the Dodgers are determined to do everything in their power to ensure he remains a central figure in their quest for success. As he continues his recovery and gradually returns to the mound, baseball fans everywhere will be eagerly watching to see if Ohtani can once again redefine what it means to be a two-way player in the modern game.
