After witnessing Shohei Ohtani‘s unprecedented year on offence, Los Angeles Dodgers fans might have to wait just a little longer to see his prowess on the mound.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters at the MLB Winter Meetings that it’s “very unlikely” the three-time MVP will be ready to pitch by Opening Day.
Ohtani has not pitched since August 2023 when he suffered an ulnar collateral ligament tear, for which he underwent surgery in September 2023. He played the 2024 season with the Dodgers as designated hitter.
The right-hander owns a career 3.01 ERA with 608 strikeouts across 481.2 innings, all of which he achieved as a member of the Los Angeles Angels. He had his most successful season on the mound in 2022 where he pitched to a 15-9 record and a 2.33 ERA with 219 strikeouts and 44 walks.
The Dodgers, who won the 2024 World Series, are looking at a talented rotation in 2025 without Ohtani that includes newly-signed Blake Snell, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow and Clayton Kershaw.
