Shohei Ohtani Announces When He'll Be Ready To Pitch In 2025

Even in an MVP campaign, Shohei Ohtani didn't handle his usual workload in 2024

A shoulder injury kept Ohtani away from the pitcher's mound in his first season of a 10-year deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He instead became the first player in MLB history to tally at least 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season. As a full-time designated hitter, Ohtani unanimously won his third MVP in four years with a 1.036 OPS before leading the Dodgers to a championship.

After the World Series, the superstar slugger underwent surgery to repair a labrum tear in his left shoulder. Ohtani plans on returning to the mound in 2025, but he won't be available to pitch in his home country when Los Angeles opens the season in Japan.

Per USA Today's Bob Nightengale, Ohtani told reporters Wednesday that he's not fully recovered from his offseason procedure. He hopes to be available to hit on Opening Day and pitch in May.

According to The Athletic's Fabian Ardaya, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Ohtani is expected to throw his first bullpen session this weekend. He's worked on a flat ground this week.

Ohtani is so amazing at hitting that some fans may have forgotten that he's also a top-flight pitcher. In 481.2 career innings, he has a 3.01 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, and 608 strikeouts.

Ohtani finished fourth in the 2022 AL Cy Young Award voting with a 2.38 ERA and 219 strikeouts in a career-high 166 frames for the Los Angeles Angels. He hasn't pitched since leaving a start early on Aug. 23, 2023.