The Dodgers anticipate Shohei Ohtani will be ready to hit in Japan, but pitching is unlikely as he recovers from surgery
DALLAS: So, the Dodgers are gearing up for their season opener in Japan, and guess what? Shohei Ohtani is expected to be ready to hit! How cool is that? But here’s the catch—he probably won’t be pitching. Ohtani had shoulder surgery, and while he’s recovering, the team’s manager, Dave Roberts, thinks it’s unlikely he’ll take the mound.
Roberts mentioned that Ohtani is super eager to play, especially in his home country. He’s coming off an impressive MVP season, but the elbow surgery he had last September is still a big concern. The manager said they don’t want to rush things and risk Ohtani’s health for the long haul.
Ohtani had surgery on his shoulder after an injury during the World Series, and he didn’t pitch at all last season due to elbow issues. It’s a bummer for fans, but Roberts is clear: they’ll do what’s best for Ohtani. If he’s not feeling right, they’ll have to adjust their plans.
Roberts also shared that managing Ohtani’s routine will be tricky. He’ll need to balance hitting and pitching, especially after surgery. But if anyone can handle it, it’s Ohtani. He’s known for his work ethic and efficiency at the ballpark.
On a side note, Roberts just got back from Japan, where he had a family trip and even met Ohtani’s former manager. He was pretty excited about chatting with baseball legend Sadaharu Oh, who’s a huge fan of Ohtani. It sounds like a memorable trip!