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Dodgers Star 'Months Away' From Pitching Debut

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Michael Hanich | Last updated Apr 18, 2025 6:00 AM ET

There have been many things for the Los Angeles Dodgers and their fans to get excited about entering the 2025 season.

There was, of course, seeing the championship banner and rings debut all while trying to repeat as champions. Another huge aspect heading into the season was the highly anticipated pitching debut of three-time league MVP Shohei Ohtani.

There was hope that Ohtani would make his pitching debut for the Dodgers shortly after the season started, after a good buildup. Through the first 20 games of the season, Ohtani has yet to make his pitching debut as a member of the Dodgers.

Dave Roberts said that Shohei Ohtani is still a couple of months away from pitching in games, but is still expected to pitch this season and in the postseason

via @jimrome pic.twitter.com/W0E8KatdE5
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) April 17, 2025

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts spoke to FOX Sports’ Jim Rome about Ohtani’s availability to make his debut as a pitcher. Roberts gave the bad news that many Dodgers fans did not want to hear, which is that Ohtani is still months away from pitching in games. He expects Ohtani to be pitching for the first time since 2023 (when he was a member of the Los Angeles Angels) in the regular season and in the postseason.

The last time Ohtani pitched in a season was 25 games in 2023. He accounted for an ERA of 3.14 and delivered 167 strikeouts while allowing 85 hits, 50 runs, and 55 walks.

Ohtani is having another MVP-caliber season at the plate for the Dodgers. In 20 games and 80 at-bats, Ohtani has accounted for a team-high batting average of .288 and a team-high on-base percentage of .380. He has also accounted for a team-high 21 runs, a team-high 23 hits, six home runs, 44 total bases, 12 walks, and 22 strikeouts.

The Dodgers have been fine at the mound, but with starting pitcher Blake Snell injured and Bobby Miller optioned back down to Triple-A, they could use Ohtani to come back soon, unless they make a key trade.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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