Download our Free Mobile App!
Faster with Fewer Ads

Get App
Dodger Blue
  • Dodgers News
    • MLB News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
    • 2025 Dodger Stadium giveaways
    • 2025 regular season
    • 2026 regular season
  • Team
    • Active roster
    • Salaries
  • Video
  • Odds
    • MLB Odds
    • NHL Odds
    • NFL Odds
    • NBA Odds
    • NCAAF Odds
    • NCAAB Odds
    • CFL Odds
    • UFC Odds
    • Boxing Odds
    • MLS Odds
    • PGA Odds
  • About
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

Download our Free Mobile App!
Faster with Fewer Ads

Get App
Dodger Blue
  • Dodgers News
    • MLB News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
    • 2025 Dodger Stadium giveaways
    • 2025 regular season
    • 2026 regular season
  • Team
    • Active roster
    • Salaries
  • Video
  • Odds
    • MLB Odds
    • NHL Odds
    • NFL Odds
    • NBA Odds
    • NCAAF Odds
    • NCAAB Odds
    • CFL Odds
    • UFC Odds
    • Boxing Odds
    • MLS Odds
    • PGA Odds
  • About
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
  • Dodgers News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
  • Team
  • Video
  • Odds
  • About
Search
  • Dodgers News
    • MLB News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
    • 2025 Dodger Stadium giveaways
    • 2025 regular season
    • 2026 regular season
  • Team
    • Active roster
    • Salaries
  • Video
  • Odds
    • MLB Odds
    • NHL Odds
    • NFL Odds
    • NBA Odds
    • NCAAF Odds
    • NCAAB Odds
    • CFL Odds
    • UFC Odds
    • Boxing Odds
    • MLS Odds
    • PGA Odds
  • About
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
Follow US
© 2024 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Dodger Blue > Dodgers News > Dodgers News: Freddie Freeman Confident Shohei Ohtani Will Make Successful Return From Shoulder Surgery
Dodgers News

Dodgers News: Freddie Freeman Confident Shohei Ohtani Will Make Successful Return From Shoulder Surgery

Sebastian Abdón Ibarra
March 17, 2025
5 Min Read
SHARE

Shohei Ohtani was fantastic for the Los Angeles Dodgers throughout 2024, earning just about every award and achievement in his first season with the team.

The best news for the Dodgers is that the 2024 version of Ohtani wasn’t even what they had in mind when signing him to what was the richest contract in the professional sports history at the time.

The Dodgers are hoping the best is yet to come, with Ohtani making his return to the pitcher’s mound sometime this season.

But with two Tommy John surgeries in his career and left shoulder operation this past offseason, it’s fair to wonder if Ohtani can ever match the heights he once reached.

However, Freddie Freeman sees plenty of reason to believe anything is possible when it comes to Ohtani.

“I watched him tear his shoulder last year and he played two days later. I had to touch him on Game 3 to make sure he was real,” Freeman recalled. “Because when you pop your shoulder out and tear something like he did, you usually can’t raise your arm above your head.

“I watched him walk in on workout day in New York and raise his arm completely over his head. I was like, ‘How is this man doing this?’ I would never put anything past Shohei.

“Obviously, he’s been through a lot of surgeries before. I saw him when we were at Roki’s thing, and he said he was already hitting and doing all that. I’ve never seen him in person hit and pitch at the same time. I think we’ve all watched him, MVPs over and over again, so I think Shohei is going to be Shohei. I just don’t see how he’s not.”

After seeing Ohtani in a more advanced stage of his rehab during Spring Training, Freeman believes Ohtani has recovered well from left shoulder surgery and reiterated that “Shohei is going to be Shohei.”

Repeating or even exceeding the 50-50 season he posted last year will likely be a challenge for Ohtani in 2025 now that he is returning to pitching.

Ohtani never stole more than 26 bases during his time with the Los Angeles Angels, plus the left shoulder injury he sustained in the World Series while stealing may lead to the Dodgers asking him to tone down the attempts. But again, Freeman can’t put it past him.

“I don’t know how he’s going to navigate that, but maybe he just steals 50 bases before he starts pitching in May or whenever he’s going to start pitching,” Freeman quipped.

“I wouldn’t put anything past the man.”

Shohei Ohtani’s two-way skills astound Freddie Freeman

A very small group of players in MLB history have ever attempted to pitch and hit and the same time, and even fewer have been successful at it. Like many have noted, Ohtani truly is one of of one, and it is among many reasons why he is such a respected figure around the league and still leaves his peers in awe.

“Someone hitting and pitching in the Major Leagues, at this level, it’s still speechless for me. I got to watch him hit like he did, and he’s done it for seven or eight years now, it still amazes me someone can do it at such a high level,” Freeman said.

“Day in and day out carry himself the way that he does, he’s a great teammate, great person, and now he’s got dad strength coming. So maybe he’ll hit 60.”

Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
TAGGED:Freddie FreemanLos Angeles DodgersShohei Ohtani
BySebastian Abdón Ibarra
Sebastian Ibarra covers the Las Vegas Raiders as a staff writer for Raiders Newswire. He previously worked as a Marketing/Communications intern for the Ontario Jr Reign, and a staff writer and two time Editor for the Campus Times at the University of La Verne. Sebastian graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2022 from ULV with a major in Communications. His love of sports stems from his baseball career starting at tee-ball and ending his senior year at Servite High School. He enjoys video games and DC comics in his spare time. Follow him on Twitter: @sebas_abdon.
Ad imageAd image
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
Get breaking Dodgers News direct to your inbox.

You Might Also Like

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Rich Hill reacts during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies
Dodgers News

Rich Hill Forever Grateful For Support From Dodgers Fans, ‘Best Moments’ Of His Career

January 12, 2020
January 12, 2020
Shohei Ohtani
FeaturedVideo

Dodgers Highlights: James Outman And Shohei Ohtani Home Runs Against Twins

April 9, 2024
April 9, 2024
Bud-norris-5
Game Central

Preview: Bud Norris Starts Against Nationals, Corey Seager Again Out Of Dodgers’ Lineup

July 20, 2016
July 20, 2016
Los Angeles Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen celebrates after a win against the Miami Marlins
Dodgers News

Dodgers News: Kenley Jansen ‘Not Thinking About Mechanics’ As He Seeks To Recapture Old ‘Attitude’ & Joy

July 21, 2019
July 21, 2019

Categories

  • News
  • Rumors
  • Games
  • History

Information

  • Advertise
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Get breaking Dodgers News direct to your inbox.

© 2025 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?

  • 日本語
  • 한국어