In a recent announcement, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed that Shohei Ohtani will not pitch in the upcoming season-opening series against the Chicago Cubs on March 18-19 at the Tokyo Dome. This decision stems from Ohtani’s ongoing recovery from left shoulder surgery performed in November 2024, following an injury sustained during the World Series.
Despite his absence from the mound, Ohtani is expected to contribute as the designated hitter in the Tokyo Series. Roberts has not provided a specific timeline for Ohtani’s return to pitching duties but remains hopeful for a swift recovery.
Ohtani’s return to Japan for the Tokyo Series is significant, as it allows him to play in front of his home country’s fans. He expressed excitement about the opportunity, stating, “I’m sure that my teammates are enjoying Japan right now, and I hope they continue to do so, but also I hope that the fans get to see my teammates enjoy Japan.”
The Dodgers’ roster for the Tokyo Series also features Japanese players Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki, highlighting the team’s strong ties to Japanese baseball. Yamamoto is slated to start Game 1, while Sasaki will make his MLB debut in Game 2.
As the Dodgers prepare to begin their 2025 season in Tokyo, fans worldwide are eager to see how the team performs, especially with Ohtani’s anticipated contributions as a hitter during the series.