Shohei Ohtani Not Expected To Pitch In Cactus League Games Or Rehab Assignment

The Los Angeles Dodgers are set to get their first glimpse of Shohei Ohtani as a two-way player sometime in 2025.

Although Ohtani proved to be worth every penny the Dodgers committed to him last season, he was not yet playing at his full capability as he continued to rehab from Tommy John surgery in a pitching capacity.

This season, the Dodgers will finally be able to experience the full breadth of Ohtani’s powers on a week-to-week basis. But it is going to require just a bit more patience as Ohtani will not be ready to pitch when the Dodgers open the season in Tokyo against the Chicago Cubs.

Ohtani is utilizing time at Camelback Ranch to continue his rehab process, but is not expected to make any appearances as a pitcher during Cactus League play.

And the exact process of getting Ohtani prepared to make his pitching debut in 2025 won’t include a rehab assignment either, per Fabian Ardaya of the Athletic:

Ohtani is not expected to pitch in any Cactus League games, Dave Roberts said. However, the Dodgers manager emphasized that Ohtani’s return to two-way play will come “sooner than later.”
 
Figuring out the steps involved in making that happen — since Ohtani won’t have a minor-league rehab assignment while he’s active and hitting — remains to be seen.

The production Ohtani brings to the Dodgers as a batter is too valuable, which is why the team would prefer to not have him make rehab starts in the Minors when he could be contributing to wins.

Without a clear plan as of now, it seems that the Dodgers will have to get creative when it comes to giving Ohtani opportunities to build up in preparation for a Major League start.

That presumably will include throwing live batting practice and pitching in simulated games to replicate a rehab assignment assignment setting.
 

Shohei Ohtani participating in pitching workouts

Despite the current buildup process, Ohtani is among Dodgers pitchers participating in workouts at Camelback Ranch.

He’s expected to throw a bullpen session at some point this weekend.