Shohei Ohtani Unlikely To Pitch In Season-Opening Series
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he expects two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (shoulder) to be ready to hit in the season-opening series in Tokyo, Japan, against the Chicago Cubs, but he's unlikely to pitch in the series. Ohtani had Tommy John surgery in 2023 and did not pitch at all during the 2024 campaign, but it didn't stop him from winning his third MVP award in the last four seasons by making history with 54 home runs, 130 RBI and 59 RBI while also leading the league in runs (134), on-base percentage (.390), slugging percentage (.646), OPS (1.036) and total bases (411). The Japanese superstar will be more attractive as a hitter in fantasy in 2025, but he still has ace potential on the mound in his first year back from TJ surgery. Ohtani is a unicorn on the baseball field and became the only player in MLB history with 50-plus homers and 50-plus steals in a single season.
Shohei Ohtani In Early Stages Of Recovery From Shoulder Surgery
Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (shoulder), who was just named the 2024 National League MVP unanimously on Thursday night, is in the early stages of his recovery from arthroscopic surgery to fix a labrum tear in his left shoulder. "We've already removed the stitches," Ohtani said. "The current goal is to bring back my range of motion. Today we started working on core and we're slowly ramping up right now." He had surgery on Nov. 5. Ohtani didn't pitch at all in 2024 after rehabbing from right-elbow surgery in September of 2023. The 30-year-old's goal is still to be ready for Opening Day in 2025 as both a pitcher and hitter, although he's taking his time in his rehab this offseason. Ohtani became the first 50-homer, 50-steal player in MLB history in 2024 and will also be highly coveted in fantasy as a starting pitcher in 2025.
As expected, Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani was named the 2024 National League Most Valuable Player on Thursday night, his third MVP award in the last four seasons. If not for Aaron Judge's amazing season in 2022 in which he set a new American League mark for home runs in a season, Ohtani would have four straight MVP awards under his belt. Ohtani is the first DH to win the award after becoming the first player in MLB history to hit 50 homers and steal 50 bases in the same season. The Japanese two-way player (he'll return to pitching in 2025) becomes the 12th player ever to win three MVPs and the second to do so within his first seven seasons, joining Stan Musial. After signing an unprecedented $700 million deal with LA, Ohtani led the Dodgers to a World Series title and led the NL in homers (54), RBI (130) and OPS (1.036).
Major League Baseball announced the 2024 National League Silver Slugger winners on Tuesday on MLB Network. The winners in the NL were Phillies 1B Bryce Harper, Diamondbacks 2B Ketel Marte, Mets SS Francisco Lindor, Padres 3B Manny Machado, Padres OF Jackson Merrill, Dodgers OF Teoscar Hernandez, Padres OF Jurickson Profar, Brewers C William Contreras, Dodgers DH Shohei Ohtani, and Dodgers UTIL Mookie Betts. This is the third time Ohtani has won a Silver Slugger award in his career. The two-way superstar became the first player in MLB history to hit at least 50 homers (54) and steal at least 50 bases (59) in the same season. The tremendous feat will likely also earn the Japanese sensation his third career MVP award (and first in the NL). In addition to all the hardware, Ohtani won his first World Series championship with the Dodgers in October.
Shohei Ohtani's Shoulder Surgery Could Delay His Pitching
Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (shoulder) is expected to be ready for the start of the 2025 regular season in Tokyo next March as a designated hitter after undergoing surgery on the labrum in his left shoulder after he partially dislocated it during the World Series, but it will add complications to his offseason throwing program and will probably push back his timeline to join the starting rotation. Ohtani did not pitch at all in 2024 in his first year with the Blue after having Tommy John surgery on his right elbow in 2023. General manager Brandon Gomes said Ohtani's left-shoulder surgery isn't expected to have any "big-picture" impact on his ability to pitch in 2025. Entering October, he was close to facing live hitters for the first time since September of 2023, but the team decided to delay the rest of his throwing progression until the offseason.
Shohei Ohtani Undergoes Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (shoulder) underwent successful arthroscopic surgery to repair a labrum tear, according to the team. Ohtani is expected to be ready in time for Spring Training. The superstar suffered this injury due to a dislocated shoulder during the World Series. However, he was able to play through it en route to winning his first championship. Fantasy managers should monitor his progression leading up to Spring Training in case he faces a setback. Operating as a pure hitter in 2024, Ohtani established the 50-50 club with an impressive .310/.390/.646 slash line. The 30-year-old will likely be a consensus top selection this year in drafts as he is expected to return to the mound, providing elite fantasy production both as a pitcher and a hitter.
Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (elbow) will not pitch in the World Series against the New York Yankees, which starts on Friday at Dodger Stadium. Ohtani was never expected to pitch in 2024 after having right-elbow surgery, even after starting a throwing program before the regular season ended. The 30-year-old Japanese All-Star will be a part of LA's starting rotation in 2025, but we won't see him on the mound during the Fall Classic. At the plate, Ohtani has been a revelation in his first year with the Blue, becoming the first-ever player in MLB history with 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season. In addition to that impressive feat, he hit .310/.390/.646 with a 1.036 OPS, 130 RBI and 134 runs in 159 regular-season games. In his first taste of the playoffs, he's gone 12-for-42 (.286) with three homers, 10 RBI, 11 walks and 12 runs scored in 11 games played.
Shohei Ohtani Gets On Base Three Times In Series-Clinching Win
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani set the table for the rest of the offense in Game 6 of the NLCS, going 2-for-4 with a walk in a 10-5 victory. Ohtani also scored two runs and drove in one. The 30-year-old had a terrific NLCS overall, going 8-for-22 (.364 AVG) with an astounding nine walks to set up the Dodgers offense for success all series. He also hit two homers, drove in six, and scored nine runs over the six games. Ohtani was certainly in contention for NLCS MVP, but just lost out to Tommy Edman. The 700 million-dollar man will now get his first taste of the World Series in a matchup between two of baseball's biggest franchises, the Dodgers and the New York Yankees.
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani set the table nicely in Game 4 of the NLCS, going 1-for-3 with a homer, three walks, and four runs scored in a 10-2 win over the New York Mets. Ohtani started the game off by taking Jose Quintana deep and then drew three walks over the remainder of the game. He scored every time he got on base thanks to a big game from Mookie Betts. With the Dodgers lineup being so deep, it is hard to see them being shut down for three straight games. Still, they will hope to close things out as soon as they can, which is Friday with Jack Flaherty on the mound.
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani went 1-for-4 with a walk and a three-run home run in Wednesday's 8-0 win over the Mets in Game 3 of the NLCS. It was his first postseason home run since Game 1 of the NLDS versus the Padres back on October 5. It was a 4-0 game when Ohtani hit the towering shot in the eighth inning of the contest, putting the game even further out of reach for New York at 7-0. After hitting .310 during the regular season, Ohtani has underwhelmed in that category during the postseason, hitting just .226 through eight games thus far, although the 4x All-Star still has maintained a rock solid .351 OBP. The Dodgers will face Jose Quintana on Thursday who Ohtani has yet to face in his career, but the 2x MVP still had good numbers versus LHP this season, slashing .288/.349/.518 against them.
Shohei Ohtani
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Dodgers
