Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Dodgers will go to Japan to face the Chicago Cubs in a short two-game series. The Dodgers star had an extraordinary season last year after crossing several milestones. Ohtani’s achievements came in while he was only a designated hitter.
It seems the Dodgers are seriously considering the slugger’s potential on the mound this season. Ohtani will not pitch in Japan, and the team has also halted his pitching sessions. The Japanese star started making progress after his surgery. However, his bullpen sessions have stopped, and there is no timeline for when he will resume his pitching.
According to Dave Roberts, it was not smart for them to push Shohei Ohtani. Roberts wants to slow-play his pitching as he enters the 2025 season.
“We just felt that to intensify the bullpens alongside of the intensity of the games as a designated hitter wasn’t smart, so we just wanted to kind of slow-play it,” Roberts said.
The Dodgers have halted Shohei Ohtani's throwing program, and Dave Roberts said there's currently no set timetable for him to start facing hitters🚨🚨🚨
— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) March 6, 2025
"[We’re] just trying to make it a broad time to return. We just don't know."
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Ohtani is ramping up his performance as a hitter. The franchise was well aware of the damage he caused last season only as a DH. He created history with his 50-50 milestone. Placing him on the mound could slow down his offensive performance.
Shohei Ohtani Is Predicted To Win His Second-Straight NL MVP
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Ohtani won is NL MVP last year in Dodger Blue. Despite being a designated hitter, Ohtani was the first to win that title. The Dodgers star is already predicted to win his second-straight NL MVP. Ohtani’s offensive contribution has helped the team win the World Series.
His significant impact has helped the team reach the end. If the Dodgers push Ohtani to pitch, his performance at the plate might decline. It’s a tough balance to pitch and stay productive at the plate. The Dodgers need Shohei Ohtani’s offensive prowess. Hence, they might take his pitching slow.
Meanwhile, the Dodgers are still dealing with injured players. Will Smith is one of the stars who has an injury.
