When Will Shohei Ohtani Make Cactus League Debut? Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts’ Thoughts

Shohei Ohtani pushed live batting practice back for at least a day. He was reportedly set to face live pitching on Friday, but didn’t come out of the hitting lab until the on-field session was over.

The Orange County Register’s Bill Plunket asked Ohtani about his potential live batting practice, who said he never planned to hit on Friday.

What does that mean for his Cactus League debut?

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts knows it is going to be difficult to keep the slugger out of games this spring.

“It’s going to be hard to keep him out of games. I don’t know when he’s going to make his Cactus League debut with us. But I see that certainly happening.”

Dave Roberts via Bill Plunkett, O.C. Register

Ohtani’s round of batting practice on Friday included five home runs on five swings, which is quite an impressive feat for anyone, especially someone recovering from a torn UCL and oblique injury.

Ohtani shouldn’t rush to come back, as the season is long and the Dodgers need him to be healthy and productive offensively.

The Dodgers open Cactus League play next week, Feb. 22, against the San Diego Padres. It is still unknown if Ohtani will play in that game, but he will definitely have to take a good amount of at-bats before opening the season in South Korea on March 20 and 21.

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