Dodgers announce spring debuts for pair of star players

Shohei Ohtani has not been in the lineup for the Los Angeles Dodgers so far this spring. However, that is about to change.

According to the Dodgers, Ohtani is expected to make his 2025 spring debut on Friday when the Dodgers host the Los Angeles Angels at Camelback Ranch. Following offseason surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder, Ohtani will be slotted in as the Dodgers' designated hitter against the Angels, a franchise where he played from 2018-23 and won a pair of American League Most Valuable Player awards.

Ohtani added to his MVP collection last season, becoming Major League Baseball's first 50-50 player as he hit 54 home runs and stole 59 bases to win the National League MVP award in his first season with the Dodgers. With his 2023 MVP while with the Angels, Ohtani enters 2025 as a back-to-back MVP winner.

The Dodgers will not only showcase Ohtani for the first time on Friday, but also will see catcher Will Smith make his spring debut behind the plate against the Angels. Smith has been slowed by an ankle injury this spring that has reportedly kept him from catching bullpen sessions and taking any kind of live batting practice.

In other debut news, Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman took the field for the first time this spring on Thursday against the Colorado Rockies as the team's designated hitter. The 35-year-old Freeman singled to right field in his first at-bat.