The Los Angeles Dodgers suffered a scare in Game 2 of the 2024 World Series when Shohei Ohtani injured his left shoulder on a stolen base attempt.
Ohtani underwent an MRI, which the team announced revealed a partial dislocation of his left shoulder. He was clearly limited by the injury as he went just 1-for-11 in his final three games against the New York Yankees.
After the Dodgers won the World Series, Ohtani underwent successful arthroscopic surgery to repair a labrum tear that was a byproduct of what the team initially deemed a left shoulder subluxation.
With Spring Training workouts beginning this week at Camelback Ranch, Ohtani was among multiple Dodgers pitchers participating and he also hit off a tee.
Pitcher and designated hitter, Shohei Ohtani. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/g4iJdcnaBI
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) February 10, 2025
#Dodgers Yoshinobu Yamamoto pic.twitter.com/3G8UIgAEkz
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) February 11, 2025
Long lost Dodger Dustin May pic.twitter.com/4EW1qG0Tol
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) February 11, 2025
“The schedule of how things will progress will depend on the kind of injury I sustained in the shoulder,” Ohtani said through interpreter Will Ireton at DodgerFest when asked if he will be hitting by the start of Spring Training.
“But as of now, it seems like I’m on schedule. I’ve been able to work out every day and I’m really looking forward to being on time in Spring Training and for the season.”
Meanwhile, Yoshinobu Yamamoto is looking to build on a successful rookie season. He’s expected to help lead a revamped Dodgers rotation that now features Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow returning from injury.
When will Shohei Ohtani pitch?
As for Ohtani pitching in a game, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts recently suggested that would not take place until May at the earliest. Roberts reiterated that stance when discussing Ohtani’s pitching outlook at DodgerFest.
“I think that’s about right, and it might be earlier,” Roberts said.
“The first thing I said earlier this offseason was it’s not going to be in the Japan Series. He’s not going to be pitching there, but once he gets to Spring Training and we see where the throwing program is, I think we’ll just go from there.”
The Dodgers believe that delaying Ohtani’s return until May will help avoid shutting him down during the middle of the season.
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