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Shohei Ohtani Unlikely to Pitch in Dodgers` Tokyo Series

Shohei Ohtani, the recent unanimous National League Most Valuable Player, is expected to be ready to hit for the Los Angeles Dodgers when they open their season in the Tokyo Series against the Chicago Cubs on March 18-19. However, his return to the mound is highly uncertain.

Ohtani, who underwent elbow surgery in late 2023 and subsequently had left shoulder surgery to repair a labrum tear sustained during the World Series, is not anticipated to pitch in the opening series. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts stated that it is `very unlikely` Ohtani will pitch in Japan, citing the need to avoid starting his pitching clock too early in the season, which could necessitate a mid-season break[2][4].

Despite his significant progress in rehab, including throwing bullpen sessions, Ohtani's recovery from the shoulder surgery has complicated his pitching rehabilitation. Roberts emphasized that the team's priority is Ohtani's health and ensuring he is ready for the long season ahead. Ohtani is expected to contribute as a designated hitter in the Tokyo Series, a role he excelled in during the 2024 season[1][4].

The Dodgers have a robust rotation that includes Blake Snell, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, and others, which will help manage the workload and ensure Ohtani's gradual return to pitching duties. The team is also considering adding more starting pitchers to their roster before the offseason ends[1].

#ShoheiOhtani,#Dodgers,#TokyoSeries,#MLB,#DaveRoberts