Shohei Ohtani Unlikely to Be Ready to Pitch for Dodgers’ Opening Day in 2025
Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani may not be ready to pitch for the Dodgers on Opening Day of 2025 in Japan. Ohtani recently underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder, but is expected to be ready for spring training as hitter. As a pitcher, his availability remains uncertain.
“Obviously, we’re going to err on the side of caution,” general manager Brandon Gomes said. “But as far as big-picture concern, there’s no big-picture concern. But we’ll chunk it off, rehab, and then week-by-week.”
However, Gomes reiterated that Ohtani is in a good spot to return as a designated hitter since Ohtani injured his back shoulder, rather than lead shoulder in the batter’s box.
“The prognosis is really good,” Gomes said. “We’re going to take this time to make sure he’s obviously going to go through his rehab. But big picture, the good thing is that it’s his left non-throwing shoulder and back shoulder for swinging. So, it’s a good combination on that front.
“We’ll see how he gets through this phase, and take it step by step because it’s complicated with somebody who’s also hitting. We’re just going to make sure that we’re checking every box to make sure he’s in the right position health-wise.
“But we expect him to be ready for spring training.”
Even if Ohtani hadn’t injured his left shoulder, he would still be coming off a second major elbow ligament reconstruction. The two-way player’s pitching debut for the Dodgers may have inevitably been delayed just from the reconstruction surgery.
The latest update on Ohtani’s injury indicates that Dodgers fans may not get to see the star on the mound at the Tokyo Dome season opener. However, Gomes made it clear that Ohtani would still be the top performer when it mattered most.
“The most important thing is that they’re at their peak, and at his peak, come the biggest games of the year,” Gomes said.
The important thing is that the inventor of the 50-50 club will pitch in 2025, only the timeline hasn’t been established just yet.
Photo Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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